Gunmen stormed a cleric’s residence in Plateau State in the early hours of Monday, abducting him, his wife and two of his daughters in a late-night raid that triggered a swift security response in the area.
The abduction occurred when armed assailants invaded the home of Pastor Gayus Tashvwam of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), whisking him away alongside his wife and two daughters after forcing their way into the building.
However, security operatives, working with local volunteers, later rescued the pastor’s wife and one of the daughters during a coordinated search operation, leaving the cleric and the remaining child still in captivity.
A police source explained that the attack happened around 12:20 a.m. in Makudang Mangor village, located in Bokkos Local Government Area, noting that the kidnappers fled into nearby bushes shortly after the abduction.
“Once the distress call was received, officers were immediately deployed, and a joint team began tracking the kidnappers’ movement,” the source said, adding that the rescue followed an intensive combing of the surrounding terrain.
Moreover, the police command has increased security presence across the affected communities, with additional patrols and surveillance teams drafted in to prevent further attacks.
Another security official said efforts were being intensified to secure the release of the pastor and his daughter.
“The operation is ongoing, and we are confident that the remaining victims will be rescued unharmed,” the officer said.
Residents have been urged to remain calm while cooperating with security agencies, as authorities assured that updates would be provided as the rescue mission progresses.
The incident adds to growing concerns over abductions in parts of Plateau State, where rural communities have increasingly become targets of armed criminal groups.