Panic has gripped communities in Ngor Okpala after gunmen abducted 14 passengers from a commercial bus late Monday or early Tuesday along the Ihitte Okwe stretch of the Owerri-Aba road near Sam Mbakwe Airport. With frightened drivers abandoning their vehicles as the attackers intercepted the bus, how much longer can road users endure this escalating cycle of fear?

The troubled highway, already known for violent incidents, has once again become a flashpoint following memories of a May attack where gunmen killed a driver and kidnapped 26 passengers. As locals recount these repeated horrors, should residents still trust that their daily journeys can be taken without the dread of another ambush?

With no group claiming responsibility and the Imo State Police yet to issue an official statement, uncertainty continues to spread among families awaiting news of their loved ones. As the region confronts another brutal reminder of its security challenges, how many more lives must be disrupted before decisive action restores safety to this vital route? Visit www.jocomms.com for more news