Plateau: Kidnapped travellers finally freed after 20 days

Twenty-eight travellers abducted on December 21, 2025, in the Zak community of Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, have been released and are now safe.

The victims, including men, women, and children, were reportedly on their way to Sabon Layi community in the same district to attend a Maulud celebration when they were seized by kidnappers.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers contacted relatives of the victims and initially demanded a ransom of N1.5 million for each person. Family members, however, said they were unable to meet the demand and appealed to the abductors to release them.

The kidnappers later reduced the ransom to a total of N30 million but insisted that three brand-new motorcycles should also be provided. On Thursday, relatives said the abductors again altered their demands, asking for N1.5 million and one new motorcycle for each victim before agreeing to free them.

Confirming the release, a youth leader in Wase LGA, Sapi’i Sambo, said, “Operatives of DSS called in the night they had rescued the victims. It was good news everywhere in Wase because people had been worried about what would happen if the conditions weren’t met. We’re happy with the development.”

Also confirming the development, a parent from Zak community whose child was among those abducted, Dauda Ibrahim, said, “we were told by the security that our children have been released and are currently in Bashar town. We are grateful to God Almighty and to the DSS operatives.”

It, however,remains unclear whether any ransom was eventually paid. Parents of the victims, however, insisted that they did not pay anything. The travellers spent 20 days in captivity before their release.