Twenty-eight travellers who were abducted on December 21, 2025, in Zak community of Bashar district of Wase local government area of Plateau state have been released by their abductors.

The victims including men, women and children were heading for Sabon Layi community of same Bashar district to attend a Maulud event when they were abducted.

The kidnappers had after the incident, contacted the victims’ relatives, demanding N1.5m ransom per person, a demand the relatives said they could not afford and pleaded with the kidnappers to release them.

The abductors had later slashed the ransom to N30m but asked the victim’s’ relatives to provide three new brand motorcycles in addition.

On Thursday, victims’ families said the kidnappers had reversed their demand, requiring N1.5m and one new motorcycle per victim for their release.

Confirming the release, a youth leader in Wase LGA, Sapi’i Sambo, said, “Operatives of DSS called in the night they had rescued the victims. It was good news everywhere in Wase because people had been worried about what would happen if the conditions weren’t met. We’re happy with the development.”

Also, a parent from Zak community whose child was amongst those kidnapped , Dauda Ibrahim, confirmed the release, explaining that “we were told by the security that our children have been released and are currently in Bashar town. We are grateful to God Almighty and to the DSS operatives.”

Daily Trust reports that it is unclear whether or not a ransom was paid, but parents said they didn’t pay a penny. The victims had spent 20 days in captivity before their release. (Daily Trust)

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