In a brazen attack that has heightened security concerns, armed men kidnapped twenty-eight travellers on Sunday night in Plateau State. The incident occurred in the Zak community, located within the Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area.
Details of the Nighttime Ambush
According to local sources, the victims were ambushed around 8:00 PM on Sunday, December 23, 2025. They were travelling from Zak village to the Sabon Layi community to attend a Maulud Islamic event. The gunmen intercepted their vehicle on the outskirts of the community, forcibly took all occupants, and abandoned the vehicle at the scene.
Youth leader Sapi'i Sambo, who confirmed the incident, provided a grim account. "The gunmen took away all the travellers, including the children, and abandoned the vehicle," he stated. The vehicle was discovered empty the following morning by other road users, alerting the community to the tragedy.
High-Profile Victims Among the Captives
The abducted group is reported to be a cross-section of the community, comprising men, women, and children. Notably, among the victims are two local princes and a religious leader who was leading the journey to the Maulud celebration.
Another resident from Bashar town, Ibrahim Musa, corroborated the report, emphasizing that the whereabouts of the twenty-eight individuals remain unknown. Sambo confirmed that all initial efforts to locate them have been unsuccessful, prompting an official report to security forces.
Police Response and Lingering Insecurity
When contacted for comment, the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, stated that the command is actively investigating the report of the kidnapping.
This attack underscores the persistent security challenges in the Wase region. Kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling have been rampant in the area, causing widespread fear among residents. The community is now urgently calling on security agencies to intensify efforts and flush out the criminal elements terrorizing the locality.
