January 27, (THEWILL) — A Group, under the aegis of Middle Belt Coalition Against Violent Occupation (MB-CAVO), has expressed deep outrage and grave concern over the continued wave of abductions sweeping across the Middle Belt region.
It decried the latest incident, being the abduction of three daughters of the Managing Director of the Plateau State Water Board, Engr. Apollos Samchi, in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026, in Rantya, Jos South Local Government Area.
In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary of the body, Comrade Vershima Orkuma Hemen, alleged that the Fulani Islamic terrorists stormed Engr. Samchi’s residence at about 12:53 am on Monday, firing gunshots that threw the neighbourhood into panic.
“In the process, the family’s security guard, Mr Bernard Makjwan, was shot in the stomach and is currently battling for his life at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos. The assailants abducted Nanlop, Kyenret, and Favour, all daughters of Engr. Samchi, and escaped to an unknown destination”, it added.
According to the statement, “Barely days ago, over 170 innocent Nigerians were abducted in Kajuru, Southern Kaduna, the same bloody night, a Baptist pastor, Daniel Bagama, and his three daughters were abducted in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, pointing out that Plateau State joins the growing list of terror-stricken communities.
“This pattern is no longer coincidental. It is systemic.It is coordinated. And it reflects a dangerous collapse of state responsibility”, the statement stressed.
The body is, therefore, questioning the sincerity and commitment of the federal government in confronting terrorism and mass abductions in the country.
“While communities in the Middle Belt bleed, families mourn, and children dragged into forests by Fulani terrorist, the Presidency appears more occupied with international travels and foreign engagements, without official statement of condolence, reassurance, or clear update on rescue efforts for the abducted citizens”, the group stated.
It rejected a situation where affected families are abandoned and forced to sell their properties, farmlands, or livelihoods to raise ransom payments, thereby directly funding terrorism and empowering violent criminal networks, noting that ransom payments only strengthen these groups, expand their operations, and guarantee future abductions.
MB-CAVO, therefore, demand among others, the immediate and coordinated security operations to rescue all abducted persons in Kajuru, Chikun, Rantya, and other affected Middle Belt communities, without ransom payments or negotiations with terrorists.
A clear public statement from the Presidency, acknowledging atrocities, consoling affected families, and outlining concrete steps being taken to rescue victims as well as full investigation, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators, their sponsors, collaborators, informants, and enablers within and outside government structures.
It called for an end to the culture of impunity, where terrorists operate freely, while communities remain defenceless, enhanced security presence and intelligence-driven operations across Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and other Middle Belt flashpoints.
MB-CAVO noted with a warning that history will not be kind to any government that chooses comfort over courage, silence over justice, and neglect over responsibility.
