The families of the victims have reportedly been approached by the suspected kidnappers of 28 travelers in Zak village, Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, and they have demanded a N1.5 million ransom for each individual.  

The victims were abducted on Sunday night while en route to a Maulud festival in the Bashar District's Sabon Layi hamlet.  

According to reports, gunmen ambushed their car, kidnapped the occupants, and left the car there.  Ibrahim Musa, a relative of one of the victims, told Daily Trust on Tuesday that the kidnappers had gotten in touch with the families and demanded N1.5 million for each victim's release.

“The kidnappers called me last night and said we must pay N1.5 million for each person, regardless of age or gender. But they assured us that our people are in good hands and nothing will happen to them,” Ibrahim said.

He clarified that he begged the abductors, explaining that the family were impoverished and could not afford such a sum.

“I told them we are villagers and don’t have that kind of money. Life is not easy for us here. Many of the victims are teenagers, and their parents cannot raise that amount. So I begged them to have mercy on us,” he added.

On Monday, the Plateau State Police Command announced that it had started an investigation and confirmed the event.  

In the meantime, locals have bemoaned the ongoing criminal activity in their areas and demanded more security measures to stop the rising number of kidnapping, banditry, and livestock rustling instances in Wase LGA.

Source