By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Fresh concerns over worsening insecurity have emerged in Plateau State after gunmen abducted 12 Muslim worshippers travelling to attend Maulud prayers in Wase Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred late Saturday night, has reignited painful memories of past attacks on travellers and religious faithful across the state.
According to findings by SaharaReporters, the Plateau State worshippers abducted were on their way to Gaji village in the Bashar District when armed men intercepted their vehicle and took them to an unknown location.
Abduction Occurred Late at Night in Wase LGA
Sources confirmed that the abduction took place around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, at the Bunyun axis of Wase Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly travelling together in a vehicle en route to Gaji village for the Maulud prayers, a significant Islamic religious gathering marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers struck swiftly, stopping the vehicle and forcing the occupants away before disappearing into the surrounding area. Since then, the whereabouts of the abducted worshippers have remained unknown.
Security Agencies Launch Search Operations
A resident of Zak village, who reported the incident on December 22, said security operatives later arrived at the scene as efforts intensified to track down the abducted persons and identify those responsible for the attack.
Police authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing. A police source disclosed that operatives moved quickly after receiving the report.
“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,” the source said.
Residents in the area say patrols have increased, although fear remains high, particularly among travellers who frequently use the route at night.
Analysts Warn of a Dangerous Pattern
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the incident on Tuesday, warned that the abduction reflects a troubling pattern of violence targeting travellers in Plateau State. He noted that similar attacks in the past have often ended in tragedy, with perpetrators rarely brought to justice.
Makama recalled the June 2025 attack in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 12 travellers from Basawa in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State were 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. Twelve passengers were killed on the spot, while 11 others sustained injuries.
The attack drew nationwide outrage and strong calls for accountability. However, months later, public attention faded, and reports later emerged that some of the alleged perpetrators were granted bail.
History of Attacks on Travellers Raises Alarm
The latest abduction also revives memories of another deadly incident in August 2021, when at least 22 travellers returning from the commemoration of the Islamic New Year in Bauchi State were killed in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
That attack, like others before it, underscored the vulnerability of commuters and religious faithful travelling through parts of Plateau State, particularly at night or along poorly secured routes.
Community leaders say the repeated nature of such attacks has deepened mistrust and fear, while raising questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures.
Government Under Pressure to Act
As news of the abduction spread, pressure mounted on security agencies and the Plateau State Government to ensure the safe return of the abducted worshippers. Residents and civil society groups have called for more proactive intelligence gathering, improved patrols, and swift prosecution of those responsible for attacks on travellers.
Although authorities insist that armed groups target victims indiscriminately, incidents involving worshippers and religious travellers often heighten communal tensions and fuel anxiety across communities.
For families of the abducted victims, the wait has been agonising. Many are appealing to the authorities to act swiftly and decisively, hoping that this incident will not follow the grim trajectory of previous cases.
As investigations continue, the abduction once again highlights the fragile security situation in Plateau State and the urgent need for sustained action to protect lives and restore confidence on Nigeria’s roads.
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