Soldiers from the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Jonathan Barracks in Ohafia, have successfully thwarted an attempted hijack of two commercial buses in Abia State.
The troops, attached to the 145 Battalion at the Isiala Ngwa South checkpoint on the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway, intervened swiftly following a report from a vigilant bus driver.
The two Coaster buses, operated by a Cooperative Union, had departed from the busy Ochendo Motor Park in Aba and were headed to Umuahia with about 72 passengers on board.
According to eyewitness accounts, one of the drivers became suspicious of several passengers who displayed unusual behavior and insisted on getting off at a known dangerous spot along the route.
“Along the way, the driver noticed suspicious behavior from certain passengers who insisted on disembarking at an infamously unsafe location during the night.”
Despite repeated threats from the suspects, including one who allegedly vowed to “blow his head off,” the driver made the critical decision to bypass the stop and proceed directly to the army checkpoint at Isiala Ngwa.
“Sensing imminent danger, the driver defied the passengers’ repeated threats… and instead accelerated toward the Isiala Ngwa Army checkpoint.”
Upon arrival, he quickly alerted the soldiers, who carried out a thorough search of the bus. During the inspection, weapons were discovered on several passengers.
“Upon reaching the soldiers, the driver quickly raised an alarm. A search of the passengers confirmed his fears: the suspects were carrying firearms and weapons.”
Realizing the threat could extend to a second bus following closely behind, the first driver urgently warned his colleague not to stop until reaching the checkpoint.
The second driver complied, and soldiers again conducted a search, discovering three more armed individuals believed to be part of the same gang.
“Acting swiftly, the first driver then alerted his colleague… warning him not to stop anywhere but instead to head straight to the military checkpoint.”
“The second driver complied without hesitation… soldiers conducted a search and found three additional armed men suspected to be accomplices of the first group.”
In total, six suspects were apprehended, all of whom were armed.
Authorities believe they were members of a criminal syndicate targeting buses for kidnapping and robbery.
Thanks to the sharp instincts of the drivers and the prompt response of the Nigerian Army, no passengers were harmed.
“Every commuter on both buses was rescued safely without injury, thanks to the professional training, vigilance, and bravery of the Cooperative Union drivers and the swift response of the Nigerian Army,” a source said.
One grateful passenger expressed heartfelt appreciation:
“This could have ended in bloodshed. These drivers are heroes. They saved us all.”
The Cooperative Transport Union lauded the drivers for their courage and adherence to safety protocols. They also extended gratitude to the Nigerian Army for its efficient intervention.
The arrested suspects remain in military custody as investigations continue into their operations and possible accomplices.
