OPEP Troops Rescue Pastor, Wife Abducted by Bandits in Plateau

OPEP troops rescued a pastor and his wife abducted in Plateau State after a swift operation in Bokkos, with victims injured while fleeing kidnappers who escaped into nearby forest.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have rescued a pastor and his wife from kidnappers in Faggem village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Captain Polycarp Oteh, the victims were abducted on Friday, June 5, 2026, alongside other residents before a swift military response led to their rescue.

He said troops of Sector 5 acted on a distress call and mobilised quickly to the scene, disrupting the kidnapping attempt and forcing the attackers to flee into a nearby forest.

The operation, he noted, resulted in the safe recovery of the pastor and his wife, although both sustained injuries during the initial attack by the abductors.

They were immediately evacuated to a medical clinic in Bokkos for treatment after being freed by the troops.

Captain Oteh explained that following the rescue, troops launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects to prevent further attacks in the area.

During a search of the kidnappers’ hideout, security personnel recovered eight empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, indicating a recent exchange of fire.

The military said operations are ongoing to track down the suspects and dismantle criminal networks operating within the area.

He assured residents that troops remain committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and securing communities across Plateau State.

The operation is part of ongoing security efforts aimed at reducing kidnappings and restoring confidence among residents in vulnerable rural areas.