On Sunday night, 28 individuals, including women and children, were abducted by armed men in Nigeria's central Plateau State. The victims were ambushed while traveling by bus to an annual Islamic event. Local police confirmed the incident, and reports from a journalist in Plateau state indicate that families of the abducted have started receiving ransom demands. Police spokesperson Alabo Alfred stated that authorities have deployed resources to the area to facilitate their rescue.
This incident occurred one day after 130 schoolchildren and teachers were released in Niger state from a separate mass kidnapping.
Kidnapping for ransom by criminal organizations, often referred to as 'bandits,' has become a common occurrence across northern and central Nigeria. Despite the illegality of such payments, they are frequently reported as a means for these groups to acquire funds and for abductions to be resolved. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the perpetrators in the latest incident. This wave of kidnappings is distinct from the long-standing Islamist insurgency in Nigeria's northeast.
Nigeria's security challenges have drawn international attention. In November, former US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, reportedly threatening military action and alleging that Christians were being specifically targeted.
The Nigerian federal government has acknowledged the security issues but has refuted claims of targeted persecution against Christians. Information Minister Mohammed Idris stated on Monday that recent tensions with the United States regarding insecurity and alleged Christian persecution have been 'largely resolved,' leading to strengthened relations. He also announced plans to deploy trained forest guards to secure remote areas and forests used as hideouts by criminal groups, supplementing military operations.