The kidnappers who abducted 28 travellers, including men, women and children, in Zak community, Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, are demanding a ransom of ₦1.5 million from each victim.
The victims were taken on Sunday night while travelling to attend a Maulud event in Sabon Layi community in the same Bashar district when gunmen ambushed their vehicle, abducting them and abandoning the vehicle.
Ibrahim Musa, a relative of one of the victims, told newsmen on Tuesday that the abductors called the family for ransom, saying their relatives arrived at their den in good condition but must pay ₦1.5 million per person for their release.
“The kidnappers called me last night, saying we must pay ₦1.5 million for each person, regardless of age or gender. But they assured us they are in good hands and nothing will happen to them,” Ibrahim said.
The relative explained that he told the kidnappers that they are poor and can’t afford it, pleading for mercy. “I told them we are villagers and don’t have that amount. Things are not easy for us in the village. Many of the victims are teenagers and their parents can’t afford it. So I pleaded with them.”
The Plateau State Police Command said on Monday that it was investigating the incident.
Residents of the community are calling for increased security measures to address the growing cases of kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling in the Wase area due to the incessant criminal activities experienced in their communities.
In other news, worried by the continued criminal incursions in the country, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has challenged President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to neutralise terrorist activities in the nation.
Kwankwaso, a former Minister of Defence, urged the Federal Government to forcibly dislodge the criminals occupying ungoverned space if negotiations with bandits failed.
The Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) during the 2023 general election issued the advice on Tuesday at the unveiling of the pioneer batch of Kano State Neighborhood Watch.
Kwankwaso believed the Nigerian military has the professional dexterity to end criminal tendencies in the country; however, he was worried that Tinubu’s administration lacked the political will to fight insecurity.
He insisted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government must apologise to Nigerians for failing to end insecurity and protect lives and property, which is the primary responsibility of government.
Kwankwaso declared that “President Tinubu should rise up to the occasion and answer the name of Commander In Chief” to tackle the problems of insecurity ravaging the nation.
