25  Cult Members Abducted by Bandits During Secret Initiation in Plateau Forest

Suspected bandits have reportedly kidnapped 25 young men believed to be undergoing a secret cult initiation ceremony in a remote forest area of the state.

The abduction reportedly took place late Sunday night in the Gada Biyu forest, located on the outskirts of Jos North Local Government Area. According to local sources and community leaders, the victims mostly youths between the ages of 18 and 25 had allegedly gathered to participate in a nocturnal initiation rite linked to a yet-to-be-identified cult group when the heavily armed bandits struck.

Eyewitnesses claim the assailants, numbering over 15 and wielding sophisticated firearms, stormed the forest encampment around midnight, catching the unsuspecting group off guard. The bandits reportedly fired several warning shots into the air to disperse the group before rounding up the initiates and herding them into the dense forest at gunpoint.

A senior vigilante commander in the area, Mallam Danladi Bature, confirmed the incident, stating that some villagers who heard the gunshots raised the alarm. “We got a distress call around 12:30 a.m. that armed men had invaded a gathering in the forest. When we got there, we saw clear signs of struggle shredded clothes, blood stains, and charred torches—but the group had already been taken,” he said.

Although authorities have yet to officially comment on the nature of the gathering, several community members and local youths familiar with the forest terrain alleged that the group was involved in cult initiation rituals, which have become increasingly common among young people in the region.

The Plateau State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident. Spokesperson DSP Alfred Alabo said in a brief statement on Monday morning, “We have received reports of a mass abduction in the Gada Biyu axis, and our tactical units have been deployed to the forest to ascertain the situation. We are working with local vigilantes and hunters to comb the area and rescue the victims.”

Security analysts have warned of the growing convergence between criminal gangs and rural cult groups, noting that cult gatherings in remote areas are increasingly being targeted by kidnappers and armed groups for ransom or forced recruitment.

Residents of Gada Biyu and surrounding communities have expressed alarm at the frequency of abductions and the growing insecurity in forested zones. “We are scared. If even cultists can be kidnapped during their own illegal activities, what about regular people?” asked Mrs. Rebecca Istifanus, a local trader.

As of press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the fate of the 25 young men remains unknown. The Plateau State Government has yet to release an official statement, but a high-level security meeting has reportedly been convened to address the incident.