Suspected Christian militia have abducted 28 Muslims who were travelling to Gaji village in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, to attend Mawlid prayers.
The incident has heightened concerns over persistent and targeted attacks on Muslim travellers in the state.
Multiple media reports, including the BBC, stated that the abduction was reported on December 22 by a resident of Zak village in Wase Local Government Area, who said the incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on December 21.
According to the account, the victims were travelling in a vehicle to attend Mawlid prayers when they were intercepted by heavily armed militia at the Bunyun axis of Wase Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly abducted them and took them to an unknown destination.
The scene of the incident was later visited by security operatives, while efforts were intensified to locate the abducted persons and identify those responsible.
The latest incident has revived painful memories of previous attacks on travellers in Plateau State, particularly the June 2025 massacre in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 Muslim travellers from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were brutally killed by a mob.
In that incident, an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, conveying 31 passengers to a wedding ceremony, was attacked around 8:00 p.m., leaving 12 persons dead on the spot and 11 others injured.
The attack drew widespread condemnation, with calls on authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice but nothing has been heard of the case while other report suggest that the perpetrators had been granted bail by the court.
Similarly, in August 2021, no fewer than 22 travellers returning from the commemoration of the Islamic New Year in Bauchi State were killed in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, underscoring a troubling pattern of violence against commuters.
The latest abduction has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Plateau, particularly along inter-community and inter-state travel routes.
The incident comes barely six months after a deadly attack on travellers in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 persons from Basawa in Zaria LGA of Kaduna State were killed by a mob while travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The recurring pattern of attacks on travellers especially muslim faithful reflect a dangerous and unacceptable dimension of Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the targeting of innocent commuters along transit corridors.
Such attacks demonstrate utter disregard for the sanctity of life and the right of citizens to move freely without fear.
Meanwhile, Police said investigations were ongoing, assuring residents that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar visited the scene of the incident, while efforts were intensified to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,”said the sources.
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