Terrorists ambushed a vehicle carrying 28 travellers in Plateau State’s Wase Local Government Area on Sunday night, abducting everyone on board, including women, children, two princes, and a religious leader.
The attack hit around 8 p.m. as the group travelled from Zak village in Bashar District to Sabon Layi community for a Maulud event commemorating the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
Terrorists intercepted the vehicle on the community’s outskirts, forced all passengers out, and disappeared into the bush, abandoning the empty vehicle roadside
.Passersby spotted the abandoned vehicle—belonging to the Zak community leader—on Monday morning, triggering widespread alarm. Local probes swiftly confirmed the mass abduction.
Youth leader Sapi’i Shafi’i Sambo reacted strongly.
“The terrorists took everyone, including the children,” he told reporters.
“Two children of traditional rulers and the religious leader guiding the group now endure unknown horrors.”
Meanwhile, residents expressed deep anger over enduring insecurity.
Kidnappings, banditry, and cattle rustling torment Wase and nearby areas for years, yet terrorists act freely.
Furthermore, the terrorists contacted families late Monday, demanding N1.5 million ransom per victim, regardless of age or gender, according to reports from affected relatives who pleaded poverty.
Security forces initiated investigations, though police provided no immediate updates on rescue operations.
As of Tuesday, December 23, the victims remain captive, intensifying anxiety among families.
This incident highlights Nigeria’s worsening kidnapping crisis, fueled by ransom demands.
Communities urgently call for decisive action to eradicate terrorist networks ravaging the north-central region.
