Five traders from Dogon Ruwa in the Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, were kidnapped after bandits attacked a busy market on Monday morning.
The attack happened during peak trading hours, as the market was filled with buyers and sellers from nearby communities.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived in large numbers, riding motorcycles, and began shooting wildly, causing panic and forcing people to run for their lives.
Shops and stalls were looted in the chaos, with the bandits making away with large amounts of food, daily essentials, and medicines. Some business owners say their entire stock was stolen.
One of the traders, Abdullahi Isma’il, whose shop was hit during the raid, shared his experience.
“They stormed the area, almost surrounding the community, and started shooting. Some of them went to the market straight away, where they picked five shop owners. We believe they targeted the market day to steal food items,” Abdullahi said.
The market is a major trading hub in the area, drawing hundreds of people every week. Grains, rice, beans, flour, drinks, and various other goods are commonly sold there.
Attacks like this have become more frequent in Wase, especially in the Bashar district.
Communities in the region have been facing ongoing threats from armed groups, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and mass displacement.
Monday’s incident is just one of many recent attacks across Plateau State. In recent months, hundreds of people have been killed, and many others forced to flee their homes following similar violent raids.
Reacting to the growing insecurity, Governor Caleb Muftwang condemned the attacks, calling them acts of genocide and accusing the attackers of trying to seize land.
While the identities of the bandits remain unclear, the governor said some of them have been heard speaking foreign languages.
Recall that Christians in Plateau recently staged a peace walk in protest of the continued killings affecting local communities.
