Gunmen have abducted 28 people in Zak community, located in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Sapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, revealing that the victims included men, women, and children.
Another resident, Ibrahim Musa, also verified the abduction, noting that the whereabouts of those taken remain unknown.
According to Sambo, the travellers were kidnapped on Sunday night while journeying from Zak village to Sabon Layi community to attend an Islamic event. Among the victims were two princes and a religious leader who were heading the delegation.
“The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on their way to Sabon Layi. Gunmen ambushed their vehicle at the outskirts of the community, abducted all passengers including children, and left the vehicle on the roadside,” Sambo said.
He added that the abandoned vehicle, belonging to a community leader from Zak, was discovered by other road users on Monday morning, prompting concern and a search by locals. “It was during investigations that the community realised the vehicle carried the abducted travellers,” he explained.
Efforts by community members to locate the victims have so far been unsuccessful, though security agencies have been alerted.
When contacted, Alabo Alfred, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, said the police are actively investigating the incident.
PREMIUM TIMES notes that kidnappings, banditry, and cattle rustling have been increasingly frequent in Wase and surrounding communities in recent years, with residents repeatedly urging security agencies to step up operations against criminal gangs in the area.
