US EditionGunmen kidnap 28 en route to Muslim religious event in central Nigeria
The abduction of 28 people, including women and children, is part of a surge in kidnappings that generated $1.66 million in ransom from July 2024 to June 2025, experts say.
- On Monday, gunmen ambushed a vehicle in Plateau state, central Nigeria, kidnapping 28 victims, including women and children, en route to a Maulud event marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
- The United Nations warned of a 'surge in mass abductions' as the incident is the latest in a string of mass kidnappings in recent weeks.
- A youth leader in Wase confirmed gunmen ambushed a vehicle near Zak village around 8 pm Sunday, kidnapping 28 victims including two princes and a religious leader, with the vehicle found abandoned Monday morning.
- Plateau state police said they are investigating, though they did not immediately respond to AFP, and the abduction coincided with the release of 130 schoolchildren amid United States criticism, which Nigeria rejects.
- Analysts say kidnappings have consolidated into a profit-seeking industry that raised about $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, while scores were seized from places of worship in separate raids.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Nigeria Mass Abduction: Gunmen Abduct 28 en Route To Muslim Religious Event
Gunmen in central Nigeria have abducted 28 people, including women and children, after ambushing a vehicle travelling to a Muslim religious gathering. The incident is the latest in a wave of mass kidnappings that has intensified scrutiny of the country’s security crisis.
Only this weekend Nigeria's government was able to announce the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren. Now the authorities are again reporting a mass abduction. Among the 28 abductees are also women and children.
On Tuesday, 28 people who were on their way to celebrate Nubian Birthday, including women and children, were abducted by armed men in an ambush in central Nigeria. "France Press, the security report, prepared for the United Nations," said, "On the evening of 21 December, armed men, including women and children, were abducted near the village of Zach in the Bachar district of Plato State." The report added that "the group was actively on its way …
Twenty-eight people, including women and children, were abducted on Sunday evening by armed men while travelling to a Muslim festival in central Nigeria, according to a security report published on Monday. "On the evening of 21 December, armed men abducted 28 people, including women and children, as they were going to a rally for Mauloud", near the village of Zak, in Plateau State, indicates a security report prepared for the United Nations.The …
This abduction, which occurred on Sunday in the centre of the country, occurred on the day of the release of 130 pupils, the last of whom was a group of 250 children kidnapped a month ago in a Catholic school in the north.
Gunmen kidnap 28 en route to Muslim religious event in central Nigeria
Gunmen in central Nigeria have abducted 28 people, including women and children, after ambushing a vehicle travelling to a Muslim religious gathering. The incident is the latest in a wave of mass kidnappings that has intensified scrutiny of the country’s security crisis.
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