In a distressing security breach, armed men have seized twenty-eight travellers in Plateau State. The abduction occurred in the Zak community, located within the Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area.
Details of the Nighttime Ambush
The incident took place on the night of Sunday, December 21, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM. According to a youth leader from Wase, Sapi’i Sambo, the victims were en route from Zak village to the Sabon Layi community. Their journey was for the purpose of attending a Maulud, an Islamic celebration commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Sambo provided a harrowing account of the event. The gunmen laid an ambush on the outskirts of the community, intercepting the vehicle carrying the travellers. "The gunmen ambushed the victims’ vehicle... and took away all the travellers, including the children, and abandoned the vehicle," he stated. The assailants forcibly led everyone away, leaving the empty vehicle behind.
Victims and Community Response
The group of abducted individuals was diverse, comprising men, women, and children. Notably, among the victims were two princes and the religious leader who was leading the journey to the event.
The community only became fully aware of the scale of the tragedy the following morning. On Monday, December 22, passersby discovered the abandoned vehicle, which was identified as belonging to the leader of the Zak community. This discovery triggered an immediate investigation, confirming the vehicle was the one used by the missing travellers.
Ibrahim Musa, a resident of Bashar town, echoed the growing concern, confirming that the whereabouts of all twenty-eight victims remain completely unknown. Sambo confirmed that despite all local efforts to trace them, the search has been unsuccessful so far.
Official Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Local authorities and security forces have been formally notified of the kidnapping. The spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alabo Alfred, has acknowledged the report. The police have confirmed that an investigation into the incident is currently underway.
This event has cast a shadow over the Wase Local Government Area, highlighting persistent security challenges in the region. The community awaits further developments as security agencies work to locate and secure the safe return of the abducted travellers.
