Gunmen have reportedly abducted at least 28 passengers travelling through a rural corridor in Plateau State, heightening fears over persistent insecurity in the area and leaving families anxiously awaiting information about their loved ones.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when the victims were moving in a convoy from the Zak community toward Sabon Layi to attend a Maulud religious gathering. The travellers reportedly included men, women, and several children.
A youth leader in Wase, Sapi’i Sambo, confirmed the attack, explaining that the group was intercepted along the outskirts of the Bashar axis.
According to him, the assailants stopped the vehicle and forced all occupants into the bush before fleeing.
“The attack happened around 8 pm. The gunmen blocked the road, seized everyone in the vehicle, and abandoned it by the roadside,” Sambo said. “Sadly, no one has heard from the victims since then.”
Sambo further disclosed that the abducted travellers included two traditional princes and a respected religious figure who was leading the delegation to the event, raising concerns about the motive and scale of the operation.
Another resident of Bashar town, Ibrahim Musa, said the abandoned vehicle was discovered the following morning by commuters using the route.
He noted that the discovery triggered a frantic search by community members.
“When people saw the empty vehicle and recognised it as belonging to the Zak community leader, alarm bells were raised,” Musa said.
“That was when it became clear that something terrible had happened.”
Despite local efforts to trace the victims, their whereabouts remain unknown. Community leaders have since alerted security agencies, urging swift action to rescue those abducted.
Confirming awareness of the incident, the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, said the police had begun preliminary investigations into the reported abduction.
“We have received information regarding the incident and are currently working to verify details and establish the facts,” Alfred said.
Meanwhile, residents of Wase Local Government Area have renewed calls for increased security presence, as cases of kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling continue to disrupt daily life in the region.
Community leaders argue that without sustained security operations, criminal groups will continue to exploit the area’s remote terrain, further endangering travellers and rural settlements.