Terrorists abducted commuters after ambushing vehicles on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway Saturday evening, nearby a police checkpoint.
Chaos erupted as terrorists emerged from nearby bushes and fired shots indiscriminately along the busy expressway near the “New Spare Parts” area by Owa Express, just before the MOPU Junction.
Drivers slammed on brakes, and passengers scrambled out of their cars, fleeing into surrounding areas to escape the onslaught.
The attack unfolded between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on February 7, 2026, forcing an unspecified number of victims into the bushes despite a nearby police checkpoint manned by the Highway Safe Road Police Squad.
Eyewitnesses painted a harrowing picture of the scene.
One survivor recounted how the terrorists “came to Enugu-Onitsha Road, by New Spare Parts, and by Owa Express before MOPU Junction” and swiftly carried out the abductions.
Another commuter vented frustration online, declaring, “It is terrifying because this happened so early in the evening.
We are no longer safe even on major highways.”
Fortunately, reports indicate no immediate casualties from the gunfire, but the incident heightened fear among travelers on this vital route connecting Enugu and Onitsha.
However, the brazen assault exposed glaring vulnerabilities in local security measures.
The Anambra State government recently deployed advanced surveillance drones to detect and track criminals in hiding spots, touting them as a breakthrough against highway threats.
Additionally, authorities established the manned police squad at the checkpoint to bolster safety.
Yet, these initiatives failed to prevent the terrorists from striking mere meters away.
Efforts to obtain comments from Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe yielded no response, as calls went unanswered.
Meanwhile, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has long served as a hotspot for such crimes, fueling resentment among residents and commuters.
Traders and travelers frequently navigate this corridor, but a surge in kidnappings and banditry in recent months has eroded confidence in security forces.
Social media erupted with outrage following the attack, as users lambasted government failures.
One commenter blasted, “This is pure failure. Kidnappings on a major highway right beside a police checkpoint and the APC government is helpless and useless.”
Others called for local vigilantes, arguing, “Local vigilante is now more trusted than these fulani infiltrated Nigeria security network.”
As panic lingers, commuters demand intensified patrols during evening hours along the Owa Express and MOPU Junction stretch.
This latest episode underscores the urgent need for effective strategies to reclaim Nigeria’s highways from terrorist threats.
