No fewer than 28 passengers travelling from the Zak community toward the Sabon Layi area of Plateau State were abducted by gunmen along a deserted road and taken to an unknown destination.
The victims, comprising women, men, and children, were travelling in a convoy to attend a Maulud religious gathering when they were forcibly taken into the bush by the armed assailants.
The gunmen reportedly attacked the vehicle conveying the passengers on the outskirts of the Bashar axis in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A youth leader in Wase, Sapi’i Sambo, confirmed the abduction, explaining that the attackers ambushed the group along the route.
“The attack happened around 8 p.m. 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 revealed that among those abducted were two traditional princes and a respected religious figure who was leading the delegation, raising concerns about the motive behind what appeared to be a targeted operation.
Meanwhile, a resident of Bashar town, Ibrahim Musa, said the abandoned vehicle was discovered the following morning by commuters.
“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 extensive searches by community members, the whereabouts of the 28 passengers remain unknown.
Local leaders have alerted security agencies, including the police and the army, and are urgently calling for swift intervention to secure the victims’ release.
Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, said investigations had commenced.
“We have received information regarding the incident and are currently working to verify details and establish the facts,” Alfred said.
Residents of Wase Local Government Area have intensified calls for a stronger security presence, citing recurring incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling that continue to threaten lives and disrupt rural communities.
Community leaders warn that without sustained security operations, criminal elements will continue to exploit the region’s remote terrain to target vulnerable travellers.
