Transport Companies Deny Kidnap Of Igbo Passengers In Kogi

Transporters, under the aegis of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Monday, debunked news of alleged kidnap of Igbo passengers travelling in GUO, Ezenwata and Young Shall Grow luxury buses.

The group said people circulating such in the media were bent on worsening the insecurity, peace and tranquility in Nigeria. 

A statement by the group’s public relations officer, Mr Paul Okoghenun, stated that there was no time the aforementioned buses were hijacked.

According to the statement, “No travellers in the said buses have been kidnapped by bandits anywhere in Nigeria.

“None of the luxury buses belonging to our members – GUO, Ezenwata and Young Shall Grow Motors – have been hijacked by bandits, whether in Kogi or anywhere else in Nigeria.

“Therefore, no traveller has experienced kidnapping in the said buses. We believe that the social media post concerning the alleged hijack and kidnap emanated from unscrupulous elements who are out to promote crisis where none exists.

“We, therefore, call on the members of the public to disregard the post and go about their normal businesses. Our customers should be rest assured that we, working with security personnel, are always out to protect their interests.

“Therefore, they should not panic or be discouraged to patronise our services, even as we are working assiduously to put protective measures to safeguard their lives and property, while traveling with us.”

There were recent posts in the social media alleging that some passengers from eastern part of Nigeria were kidnapped by bandits in Kogi State on their way to Sokoto State.

The post alleged the bandits isolated northerners from the easterners and took away the latter.