Suspected gunmen on Sunday night abducted 28 travellers in Zak community, Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, while they were on their way to attend a Maulud celebration in Sabon Layi community, also in Bashar District.
The attackers reportedly ambushed the vehicle conveying the travellers, forcibly took the passengers away and abandoned the vehicle at the scene before fleeing.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that it had commenced an investigation and was making efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
Meanwhile, the suspected kidnappers have reportedly contacted the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N1.5 million for each abducted person.
A relative of one of the victims, Ibrahim Musa, told Daily Trust on Tuesday that the abductors called the families and insisted that the ransom must be paid for every victim, regardless of age or gender.
According to him, the kidnappers assured the families that the victims were safe and would not be harmed, but maintained their demand for full payment.
Musa said he pleaded with the kidnappers, explaining that the families were poor and could not afford such an amount.
He added that many of the abducted travellers are teenagers whose parents lack the means to raise the ransom, stressing the severe economic hardship faced by the families.
In response to the incident, residents of the area have called on security agencies to increase their presence in Wase LGA, citing growing cases of kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling, which they say have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods in their communities.
