Gunmen abducted 28 Muslim travellers in Nigeria's central Plateau state, police confirmed. The victims were travelling by bus to an annual Islamic event when ambushed on Sunday night between villages. Police spokesperson Alabo Alfred said authorities "have deployed assets" to the area to ensure the safe rescue of those taken. Victims include women and children. Families of the kidnapped have started receiving ransom demands, a journalist from Plateau state reported. Police have not identified the kidnappers. Kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs, known as bandits, is common in northern and central Nigeria. Though paying ransom is illegal, it is often the way hostages are freed and a source of income for these gangs. This event is unrelated to the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. It follows the recent release of 130 schoolchildren and teachers taken in a separate mass kidnapping in Niger state. Information Minister Mohammed Idris said tensions with the US over insecurity and allegations of Christian persecution are "largely resolved". He also announced plans to send trained forest guards to fight criminals hiding in remote areas, supporting army efforts.