Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Armed gunmen in Plateau State have reportedly demanded a ₦16 million ransom for the release of an Imam and seven other mosque members who were abducted during an attack in the Doguwan Ruwa community of Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area on February 8, 2026.
According to local accounts, the victims were part of a group of mosque committee members who had gathered to process charcoal commercially on the outskirts of the community. The activity was intended to generate funds to support local Quranic scholars ahead of Ramadan, as individual contributions were insufficient, a survivor told journalists.
Eyewitnesses recounted that a group of about 10 men was working when the attackers — arriving on motorcycles and armed with guns — stormed the area, firing sporadically and spreading panic. The group dispersed in separate directions in an attempt to flee, but eight individuals were captured, including Imam Abdulrashid Baduku, his muazzin (prayer caller) and the mosque secretary. One person from the original group was fatally shot during the assault, while the survivor managed to escape.
Family members and community leaders say they have been contacted by the kidnappers, who are now demanding ₦16 million for the release of the eight captives. Relatives and community representatives have been engaged in efforts to understand the terms of the demand, though details on negotiations or payment plans remain limited.
The incident highlights the ongoing insecurity in rural parts of Plateau State, where kidnappings for ransom have become increasingly common. Observers note that such abductions are often carried out by armed gangs who exploit forested terrain and limited security presence to target civilians for financial gain. In the wider security context, tens of thousands of ransom demands have been recorded across Nigeria in recent years, illustrating how the practice has grown into a structured criminal enterprise.
Security agencies in Plateau have been conducting periodic operations against kidnappers and bandits, including deployment of additional troops to vulnerable local government areas following similar attacks. However, communities such as Bashar continue to express deep concern over their safety due to both the frequency of violent incidents and the economic strain that large ransom demands place on families and local institutions.
As of the latest reporting, the Plateau State Police Command had not publicly responded to requests for comment on this specific abduction and ransom demand. Authorities have previously urged residents to cooperate with security operations and provide credible intelligence that could aid rescue efforts and suspect apprehension.
Efforts to secure the release of the Imam and the seven other captives are understood to be ongoing, with relatives appealing for government and community support to ensure their safe return.
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