The Kogi State Police Command has refuted reports circulating on social media alleging that passengers were kidnapped along the Kabba-Okene Road on June 17, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Oyiza Salisu, clarified the circumstances surrounding the incident and stressed that no kidnapping took place on the route.
According to the command, the incident occurred at about 9 p.m. on June 17 when a commercial vehicle transporting cocoyam was travelling from Kabba to Ibilo.
The vehicle was being driven by one Ojo, a native of Kabba, who reportedly became alarmed after noticing unusual lights ahead on the road.
Salisu explained that the driver attempted to make a U-turn and, upon observing some individuals approaching, abandoned the vehicle and ran to a nearby military checkpoint for safety.
The police spokesperson emphasized that contrary to reports making the rounds online, there were no passengers inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.
“It is important to state clearly that no passenger was kidnapped or harmed, as there were no passengers on board at the time of the incident,” she said.
She further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the incident was not linked to any criminal activity.
According to the police, the vehicle had developed an electrical fault, a situation that contributed significantly to the misunderstanding surrounding the event.
The command stated that after the driver sought safety at the military checkpoint, arrangements were made to transfer the cocoyam cargo into another vehicle, which subsequently conveyed the goods to their intended destination without any further complications.
Salisu noted that because no crime was committed and there were no casualties, the matter was handled at the military checkpoint and was not formally reported to the police for investigation.
The police spokesperson urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents and road users.
She stressed that the reports claiming armed bandits attacked the vehicle and abducted passengers were entirely inaccurate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the circulating claims of an armed bandit attack and abduction of passengers are misleading and not accurate,” she stated.
The command reassured residents and travellers that security agencies remain vigilant and committed to maintaining safety across the state.
It also encouraged the public to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing such reports on social media.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property while urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information whenever necessary.
