By Comfort Asemota
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives urged security agencies to step up efforts to rescue 27 individuals, including children, who were abducted along the Zak–Sabon Layin corridor in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion presented at plenary by the representative for Wase Federal Constituency, Mr. Ahmed Idris, with the session led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In presenting the motion, Idris expressed the House’s deep concern over the recent incident in the area.
“We are seriously concerned about the abduction of 27 persons, including 25 children, one teacher, and a tricycle operator, along the Zak–Sabon-Layin Gaji axis within Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State,” Idris stated.
He noted that the event occurred on Sunday, December 21, 2025, as the victims were on their way to attend a Maulud celebration in Sabon-Layin, Gaji Village.
“While traveling to the Maulud celebration on December 21, the victims were attacked and abducted, leaving behind their tricycle and footwear at the site,” he added.
Idris also highlighted the challenging terrain in the area, which he said limits the effectiveness of security operations.
“Because of the dense forest in these communities, security patrol vehicles cannot access the area easily. There is therefore a need to support security efforts with armoured vehicles,” he explained.
The motion received strong backing from lawmakers present at the plenary session. Following its adoption, the House called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted individuals and ensure their safe return. It also urged the Chief of Defence Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Inspector-General of Police to deploy armoured vehicles and establish a permanent security checkpoint along the Zak–Sabon-Layin Gaji route to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This latest abduction highlights the ongoing security challenges in Plateau State, which has seen repeated kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on rural communities in recent years. While some areas have historically faced communal and farmer–herder conflicts, criminal groups operating from forested regions have increasingly targeted travelers and villages for ransom.
Wase Local Government Area, bordering parts of Taraba and Bauchi states, remains particularly vulnerable due to its expansive forests and limited security presence. Residents have frequently raised concerns about poor road access, difficult terrain, and inadequate patrols, which allow criminal groups to operate with relative ease.
Lawmakers emphasized that without consistent security deployments and improved logistical support for security agencies, rural communities in Plateau will continue to face significant risks, highlighting the urgency of implementing the House’s resolutions.
