Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Twenty‑eight travellers who were kidnapped on December 21, 2025, in Zak community of Bashar District in Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State remain in captivity as families continue to grapple with ransom demands from their abductors. The victims, including men, women and children, were seized by gunmen while en route to a Maulud religious gathering in the same district, according to local reports. The attack highlighted persistent insecurity and the threat of armed abductions in central Nigeria.
Initial accounts of the incident indicate that armed assailants ambushed the travellers’ vehicle late on the night of December 21, forcing the occupants from the vehicle and taking them to an undisclosed forest hideout. The abandoned vehicle was discovered on the road the following morning, prompting concerns and an immediate response from families and community members.
In the days that followed, the kidnappers made contact with relatives of the abducted passengers, setting a ransom demand of approximately ₦1.5 million per victim, a figure that represents a significant financial burden for many of the families affected. Reports indicate that the original cumulative ransom demand was in the region of ₦42 million, although subsequent negotiations reportedly saw the figure reduced along with additional demands for motorcycles.
Relatives and community leaders have appealed to authorities for increased security intervention and support, stressing that many of the families are impoverished villagers unable to meet the steep ransom requirements. Some families have reportedly begun contributing whatever funds they can muster amid growing anxiety over the wellbeing of their loved ones.
The Plateau State Police Command has acknowledged the abduction and indicated that investigations are ongoing, but as of the latest reports, the travellers have not yet been released. The abduction underscores the continuing challenge of banditry and violent crime in parts of Nigeria, where armed groups routinely target travellers, religious pilgrims and rural commuters for ransom.
Security experts and human rights advocates have condemned the persistent threats to civilians and urged coordinated action by government and law enforcement agencies to protect vulnerable communities and disrupt criminal networks responsible for kidnappings.
As the situation develops, families of the abducted travellers continue to petition authorities and civil society for intervention, even as they navigate the emotional and economic strain of negotiating with their captors.
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