Armed men have kidnapped 28 people travelling to an annual Islamic event in Nigeria's central Plateau state, local police reported. The victims, including women and children, were ambushed in their bus on Sunday night while driving between villages.
Police spokesperson Alabo Alfred stated that authorities have deployed assets to the affected area to ensure the rescue of the abducted individuals. This incident follows closely on the heels of the Nigerian government's announcement of the release of 130 schoolchildren and teachers from another mass kidnapping at a Catholic boarding school last month.
A journalist based in Plateau state mentioned that the families of the victims have begun receiving ransom demands. Unfortunately, the police have yet to disclose any information about the possible perpetrators.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a disturbing norm across northern and central Nigeria, often attributed to groups referred to as bandits. Despite it being illegal, many families resort to paying ransoms, allowing these gangs to sustain their operations.
The kidnapping in Plateau state does not relate to the Islamist insurgencies in northeastern Nigeria, where jihadist groups have been active for over a decade. The international attention on Nigeria's security challenges has been magnified recently following statements from US President Donald Trump about the situation facing Christians in the region.
Nigeria's government has recognized the security issues but denies that any specific group, including Christians, is being targeted. Furthermore, Information Minister Mohammed Idris mentioned plans to deploy trained forest guards to enhance security in remote areas often exploited by criminal organizations.
