Jos, Plateau State
– December 28, 2025 (Clarion Newschannel) –
In a chilling reminder of Nigeria’s escalating kidnapping crisis, armed gunmen abducted 28 travellers – including men, women, children, two princes and a prominent religious leader – in Plateau State’s Wase Local Government Area last week.
The victims were travelling in a bus from Zak community to Sabon Layi in Bashar District to attend a Maulud celebration marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad when gunmen ambushed their vehicle on the evening of Sunday, December 21.
Witnesses and local leaders report that the attackers intercepted the bus around 8:00 pm on the outskirts of the community, forced all passengers out at gunpoint, marched them into nearby forests, and abandoned the vehicle by the roadside. The empty bus was discovered the following morning, raising the alarm.
Youth leader in Wase, Shafi’i Sambo, confirmed the details, stating that the group included vulnerable children and community figures. “The gunmen took everyone, including the children, and fled into the bush,” he said.
Families of the victims have since received phone calls from the kidnappers demanding a ransom of ₦1.5 million per person for their release. One relative, Ibrahim Musa, appealed to the abductors, describing the families as poor villagers unable to afford such sums.
Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident and assured that security forces, in collaboration with other agencies, have launched operations to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. “We have deployed assets to the area,” he stated.
This abduction is attributed to criminal gangs known locally as “bandits,” who frequently target travellers on rural roads for ransom. It is not linked to the jihadist insurgency in northeast Nigeria.
The incident occurred amid a broader surge in mass kidnappings across northern and central Nigeria, highlighting persistent security challenges despite government efforts. Just a day earlier, authorities announced the release of 130 schoolchildren kidnapped from a school in neighbouring Niger State.
Security analysts note that kidnapping has become a lucrative “industry” for armed groups, with ransoms – though illegal – often funding further crimes.
Clarion Newschannel continues to monitor developments and calls for swift action to ensure the safe return of the victims.
BANDITS STRIKE: 28 Travellers, Including Women, Children and Traditional Leaders, Abducted En Route to Maulud Celebration in Plateau State
