Two visually impaired persons have regained their freedom after being abducted by gunmen in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were intercepted on Monday night while they were returning to Jos. The abduction caused immediate alarm within the disability community and local residents, as the gunmen had subsequently demanded a N50 million ransom for their release.
Shindol Aaron, the Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), confirmed the successful release of the two individuals.
The kidnapping occurred on a major route used by commuters travelling between Riyom and the state capital, Jos. According to reports on the abduction of the two visually impaired persons, the criminal elements targeted the victims during their journey, exploiting their physical vulnerability to facilitate the crime.
Security concerns for vulnerable groups in Plateau
Riyom has long been identified as a high-risk area due to recurring incidents of banditry and kidnapping. The targeting of persons with disabilities points to a trend where criminal gangs exploit the most vulnerable members of society to extract high ransoms from families and organisations.
The N50 million ransom demand placed by the abductors reflects the increasing financial pressure caused by kidnapping in the North Central zone. For many families in Plateau State, such sums are difficult to raise, often leading to prolonged periods of captivity or extreme financial hardship.
While the release brings relief to the victims and their families, the JONAPWD and other advocacy groups have raised concerns regarding the safety of persons with disabilities navigating the state’s roads. They are calling for increased security patrols along the Riyom-Jos axis to prevent future occurrences.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the arrest of any suspects connected to this specific incident. Local residents are continuing to demand more proactive security measures from the state government to secure rural roads.
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