Suspected bandits have abducted about 18 students from Oyo State and killed the driver of the vehicle conveying them from Sokoto State to their hometowns in the Oke-Ogun area of the state.

The victims, identified as students of Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto State, were reportedly travelling towards Oke-Ogun, particularly Igboho, when their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers.

Sources familiar with the incident said the bandits attacked the bus, killed the driver and took the students into captivity.

An Oke-Ogun youth leader who confirmed the incident said the victims were not students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, as initially reported in some quarters.

According to him, the students were enrolled at Gamji College of Health Technology and were travelling in a bus arranged by the institution.

He added that the abductors reportedly moved the students towards the Mokwa axis after the attack.

The youth leader further disclosed that the driver was killed during the incident and that his remains were subsequently buried.

The development has heightened concerns over the safety of students and other travellers using major interstate routes between northern Nigeria and the South-West.

Authorities are expected to provide further details on the incident, including efforts to locate the abducted students and secure their release.

The incident underscores the growing security concerns surrounding interstate travel and the need for stronger measures to protect students and other road users across the country.