What You Need to Know
Armed assailants kidnapped at least 28 people en route to an annual Islamic gathering in Plateau State, Nigeria. The incident highlights the ongoing security crisis in the region, where armed gangs frequently target travelers and communities. Families of the victims have reportedly begun receiving ransom demands from the kidnappers, raising concerns about the increasing prevalence of such crimes.
Africa. Armed assailants kidnapped at least 28 people who were on their way to an annual Islamic gathering in Plateau State, central Nigeria, in the latest episode of mass abductions plaguing the country.
The attack occurred when the assailants stopped a bus carrying women and children between rural communities, forcing the passengers to disembark at gunpoint.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, and the identity of the attackers remains unknown.
A journalist based in Plateau reported to a local source that families of the kidnapped individuals have already begun receiving financial demands from the abductors in exchange for their loved ones’ release.
This incident comes amid growing concerns over the rise of kidnappings in northern and central Nigeria, where armed gangs—locally known as “bandits”—target travelers, villages, and schools.
Although paying ransom is legally prohibited in Nigeria, security experts assert that it remains the primary source of funding for these groups, as most kidnappings are believed to end with secret financial settlements.
Security Background
The kidnapping incident in Plateau coincided with the Nigerian authorities announcing the release of 130 students and teachers abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State the previous month. This release had raised hopes for improved security, yet the recent kidnapping underscores the persistent dangers faced by civilians in the region. Security sources confirmed that the latest abduction is not linked to the armed insurgency waged by jihadist groups in northeastern Nigeria, which has been ongoing for over a decade.
The kidnapping incident in Plateau coincided with the Nigerian authorities announcing the release of 130 students and teachers abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State the previous month. This release had raised hopes for improved security, yet the recent kidnapping underscores the persistent dangers faced by civilians in the region. Security sources confirmed that the latest abduction is not linked to the armed insurgency waged by jihadist groups in northeastern Nigeria, which has been ongoing for over a decade.
