Five traders from Dogon Ruwa community in the Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, were abducted on Monday morning during a bandit attack at a bustling market in the area.
The incident took place during the market day, a time when traders and buyers from surrounding communities converge for business transactions. Witnesses who managed to escape the attack described a chaotic scene as heavily armed assailants arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately at the peak of the trading activities.
The gunmen’s assault sent people fleeing in all directions, forcing many to abandon their goods and run for their lives.
In addition to the abductions, the attackers looted shops and business centers, making off with large quantities of food items, consumables, and medicines.
One shop owner, Abdullahi Isma’il, whose store was ransacked during the attack, recounted the harrowing event: “They stormed the area, nearly surrounding the community, and began shooting. Some of them went straight to the market, where they seized five shop owners. We believe they specifically targeted the market day to steal food supplies,” he said.
The market, a major trading hub for the region, is known for selling essential goods, including grains, flour, rice, beans, drinks, and other consumables. It draws hundreds of visitors from surrounding communities, making it a prime target for the bandits.
This attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the villages of Wase, particularly in Bashar district. In recent months, the region has witnessed a surge in banditry, with numerous lives lost and many more displaced.
Governor Caleb Muftwang has condemned the violence, describing the attacks as “genocidal” and alleging that the perpetrators may be attempting land grabs. Although the identity of the assailants remains unclear, some reports suggest that they speak foreign languages, adding an element of mystery to the ongoing crisis.
As the frequency and brutality of these attacks continue to rise, the people of Plateau State remain on edge, calling for urgent action to restore security and bring the perpetrators to justice.
