Bandits Kidnap 25 Cultists During Initiation Ceremony in Jos
In a bizarre twist of events, suspected bandits have reportedly abducted 25 individuals believed to be members of a secret cult during an initiation ceremony in a bush area along the Jos-Bauchi road.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the victims were gathered late Saturday evening in a secluded area notorious for criminal activity, when the armed assailants stormed the site and whisked them away at gunpoint. The initiation ceremony was said to be ongoing when the bandits struck, catching the group completely off guard.
Residents of the nearby communities confirmed hearing gunshots and screams around the time of the incident, prompting fears of renewed insecurity in the area.
A local vigilante leader, who requested anonymity, described the abduction as “unusual and shocking,” given the nature of the gathering. “This area has witnessed attacks in the past, but this is the first time bandits are kidnapping cult members during a ceremony. It shows how brazen and desperate these criminals have become,” he said.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement, but sources within the Plateau State Police Command disclosed that investigations are underway, and efforts are being made to track the whereabouts of the abducted individuals.
Meanwhile, families of the victims have expressed mixed feelings—while some are distraught, others have described the incident as a strange form of “poetic justice,” raising questions about the activities of secret cults and the broader issue of insecurity in Plateau State.
This incident adds a troubling layer to the rising wave of kidnappings in Nigeria, as both civilians and fringe groups alike continue to fall prey to criminal elements operating across state lines.
More updates to follow.
