GUO Transport Company has confirmed that one of its drivers shuttling passengers from Lagos to Abuja was killed in an alleged attack by some suspected gunmen along the Ikare-Akoko Road of the Akure Expressway on Friday.
The management of the transport firm, in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Sunday, added that other passengers, except a three-year-old child, were allegedly kidnapped along the corridor.
A senator, Ned Nwoko, had earlier shared the news of the alleged attack on the GUO bus on Saturday via his verified X handle, @Prince_NedNwoko, saying that the hoodlums abducted all the passengers but left an infant inside the vehicle.
Though the senator failed to mention the location of the attack, he emphasised the need for the government to allow its citizens to bear arms for self-protection.
The senator wrote, “This was reported to have happened to GUO yesterday. They killed the driver, left the small girl there, and kidnapped all the passengers. This is the reason for the law on self-defence.
“If the driver had a gun or any of the passengers, the kidnappers wouldn’t certainly have their way. The only thing they have that good and law-abiding citizens don’t have are guns. The passengers might never be rescued, and just imagine the poor little girl who will be traumatised for life.”
While confirming the attack on Sunday, the statement by the company read, “GUO Transport Co. wishes to use this medium to confirm that there was a bandit attack on one of our buses en route to Abuja from Lagos.
“The unfortunate incident occurred at about 3:15 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024. Along the Ikare-Akoko area of the Akure Expressway, the kidnappers ambushed and attacked oncoming vehicles, among which was one of the Hiace buses from Lagos with passengers onboard.
“This unfortunate event led to the death of our driver at the crime scene, while our passengers are believed to have been held hostage and led into the bush. A child of about three years old was rescued from the scene and handed over to the military personnel on the ground while the family has been contacted.
“Our prayers are with those directly or indirectly affected by this unfortunate incident.
“While we empathise with the families of our slain driver and the families of our kidnapped passengers, we are cooperating with security agencies to ensure a quick and sore release or rescue of our passengers.
“We appreciate the prayers, advice, understanding, and support of the security agencies, our staff, our passengers, and the public at this critical moment.”
