Gunmen have abducted at least 28 people who were travelling to attend Maulud gathering in Zak village, Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The attack occurred on Sunday night when the assailants intercepted a vehicle conveying the travellers near Zak village and forcefully took all the occupants into the bush, leaving the vehicle behind.
A youth leader in Wase, Shafi’i Sambo, told journalists that the abducted victims included men, women and children.
According to him, two children of traditional rulers and a religious leader who was leading the group to the Maulud event were among those kidnapped.
“The incident happened at about 8:00 p.m. when they were on their way to Sabon Layi for the Maulud gathering. The gunmen stopped the vehicle near the village and took everyone inside, including women and children, and abandoned the vehicle there,” Sambo said.
He added that the abandoned vehicle, which belongs to the village head of Zak, was discovered early Monday morning by other road users passing through the area.
A resident of Bashar, Ibrahim Musa, said the whereabouts of the abducted travellers were still unknown as of the time of this report.
Sambo said all efforts by the community to locate the victims had so far been unsuccessful, adding that security agencies had been informed of the incident.
Confirming the development, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alabo Alfred, said the command was aware of the report and had commenced investigation.
Residents of Wase have raised concerns over the growing cases of kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling in the area, calling on security agencies to take decisive action to protect lives and restore peace.
