28 People Kidnapped by Armed Men in Plateau State
Armed men have abducted 28 individuals, including women and children, while they were traveling to an annual Islamic event in Plateau State, central Nigeria, local police have confirmed.
The victims were ambushed on Sunday night as their bus moved between villages, according to police spokesperson Alabo Alfred, who said authorities have “deployed assets” to the area to secure the release of those kidnapped.
Families of the victims have reportedly started receiving ransom demands, a practice common in northern and central Nigeria where criminal gangs, often referred to as bandits, abduct people for monetary gain.
Although paying ransoms is illegal, it is frequently used as a way to resolve kidnappings and raise funds by these criminal groups.
Police have not yet disclosed the identity of the kidnappers, and authorities say the attack is unrelated to the Islamist insurgency ongoing in Nigeria’s north-east, where jihadist groups have been active for over a decade.
Nigeria’s insecurity challenges attracted international attention in November after former US President Donald Trump threatened to send troops to the country, claiming Christians were being targeted.
The federal government has acknowledged ongoing security issues but denied allegations of religious targeting. On Monday, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said recent tensions with the US over these claims had largely been resolved, improving bilateral relations.
Idris also stated that trained and equipped forest guards would be deployed to secure forests and remote areas often used as hideouts by criminal gangs, complementing military operations to curb kidnappings.
