The Plateau State Government has announced the safe rescue of 25 children abducted in Zak, Sabon Layi community, Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area. The children were freed through a coordinated security operation led by the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with other security agencies.
The victims, who were travelling as a group to attend a Maulud celebration, were kidnapped on December 21, 2025, at about 7:00 p.m. along the Zak–Sabon Layi Road. According to reports, the abductors disguised as vigilante operatives before overpowering the children and whisking them to an undisclosed location.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Arc. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, disclosed that 28 children were initially involved in the incident. Three escaped during the abduction, leaving 25 in captivity.
Arc. Jatau noted that the state government and security agencies worked tirelessly throughout the Christmas period to secure the release of the victims. “We are able to rescue some of our kidnapped children, about 25 of them in number, who were kidnapped on the 21st of December, if you recall, in Wase… at about 7 p.m. in the evening,” he stated.
He confirmed that the rescued children, comprising 19 males and six females, had undergone medical evaluations and were in stable condition, despite minor wounds sustained during prolonged trekking while in captivity.
The SSG appealed to the Wase Local Government Council to continue monitoring the children following their reunion with their families, highlighting the need for psychosomatic support to aid full emotional and physical recovery.
One of the victims, Mallam Husseini Musa, who serves as teacher to the abducted children, expressed gratitude to the state government and security operatives for what he described as a swift and coordinated intervention. He called for sustained community vigilance and security support to safeguard lives and property across Plateau State.
The press briefing was attended by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Caroline Pangiang Dafur; the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong; and representatives of security agencies involved in the rescue operation.
