Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Three passengers remain unaccounted for after a bandit attack on a commercial bus along the Jos-Kano highway, despite a fierce gun battle that led to the rescue of nine others and the escape of one additional victim. The attack occurred at about 5:30 pm on Sunday, July 26, 2026, when a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BKK 6824 XA, travelling from Jos to Kano, was ambushed by armed men at the Folgore Forest axis between Gate Two Safer Highway and Dogo Dutse in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to a statement issued on Monday, July 27, by the Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, five suspected bandits armed with machetes and a firearm blocked the road, attacked the vehicle and abducted 13 of the 20 passengers on board. The attack sent shockwaves through the region, which has witnessed a troubling rise in bandit activities along major highways in recent months. Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer of Doguwa Division immediately deployed tactical operatives to the scene. On arrival, the police team engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, leading to the rescue of nine victims. One other male victim later escaped from captivity.
However, the police confirmed that three passengers remain in the custody of the attackers, comprising one male and two females. The rescued passengers were taken to Doguwa General Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment, and the command confirmed that all those rescued are in stable condition. The police said efforts had been intensified to secure the release of the remaining captives and apprehend those responsible for the attack. "The Command has intensified operational and manhunt efforts, including the deployment of additional tactical teams and sustained intelligence gathering, to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining captives and the arrest of the fleeing perpetrators," the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended residents and motorists for providing timely information that aided the police response. He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the command's emergency lines. The command described the operation as a demonstration of its commitment to proactive policing, rapid response and the protection of lives and property. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated to the public in due course.
The attack on the Jos-Kano highway is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting travellers in the North-West region. The Folgore Forest axis, where the ambush occurred, has long been identified as a hotspot for criminal activities, with bandits and kidnappers exploiting the dense vegetation to launch attacks on unsuspecting motorists. The Kano State Police Command has repeatedly assured the public of its commitment to tackling insecurity, but the recurring nature of such incidents raises questions about the effectiveness of current security measures. For the families of the three passengers still in captivity, the wait is agonising, as they cling to hope that the ongoing search and rescue operations will bring their loved ones home safely.
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