At least 28 people, including women and children, have been kidnapped by armed gunmen in Nigeria’s central Plateau state, local authorities confirmed. The victims were ambushed on Sunday night while traveling by bus between villages to attend an annual Islamic event, according to a police spokesperson.

Details of the Kidnapping

Police spokesperson Alabo Alfred said authorities have “deployed assets” to the area to secure the safe release of those abducted. Families of the victims have reportedly already begun receiving ransom demands, a common tactic used by criminal gangs operating in central and northern Nigeria.

This incident comes just a day after the release of 130 schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in neighboring Niger state last month, highlighting the ongoing security challenges across the country.

Kidnapping for Ransom in Nigeria

Kidnappings for ransom, locally referred to as banditry, have surged in parts of northern and central Nigeria over the past several years. Criminal gangs often operate from forests and remote regions, targeting travelers, students, and religious groups to demand cash payments.

While paying ransoms is illegal, it is often seen as the quickest way to secure the release of victims, allowing gangs to fund further criminal activity. Authorities are attempting to crack down on these networks through military and police operations, supplemented by newly trained and equipped forest guards tasked with securing remote hideouts.

Distinction from Islamist Insurgency

Officials stressed that the Plateau state abduction is unrelated to the Islamist insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria, where jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have waged a violent campaign for over a decade.

Although the insecurity has drawn international attention, including threats from US President Donald Trump to intervene militarily, Nigeria’s federal government has denied that Christians are being specifically targeted. Information Minister Mohammed Idris stated that tensions with Washington regarding alleged religious persecution had been “largely resolved,” resulting in improved diplomatic relations.

Security Measures Underway

Authorities have increased security patrols in forests and other remote areas used by criminal gangs. The deployment of forest guards aims to complement ongoing army and police operations, reducing opportunities for kidnappings and improving civilian safety.

Despite these measures, the situation underscores the ongoing challenge of protecting civilians from armed bandits, kidnappers, and insurgent groups across Nigeria’s central and northern regions.