Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The sun had barely risen over the hills of Jos North on Tuesday morning when the quiet of Dong Village was shattered by the news that one of its own had been taken. Mrs Paulina Alfred, a 47-year-old woman, had been snatched from her residence in the dead of night, her fate suddenly hanging in the balance. But what could have become another tragic statistic in Plateau State's long struggle with kidnapping instead became a story of swift, decisive action, as troops of Sector 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), launched an operation that would end with the victim rescued unharmed and her abductors fleeing for their lives. According to counter‑insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the rescue was triggered by distress calls from members of the community, who alerted the troops to the abduction.
The rescue operation, which took place on August 11, 2026, began in earnest at about 7:00 a.m., when troops launched a search operation following the abduction of the victim from her residence in Dong Village. The troops tracked the kidnappers to the Rafin Bauna general area in Bassa Local Government Area of the state. As the troops intensified their search, the abductors came under immense pressure. Fearing for their own safety, the kidnappers abandoned their victim and fled into the surrounding area. Mrs Alfred was found and rescued by the troops without further harm.
Following the rescue, the victim was debriefed by security personnel before being reunited with her family. The successful operation highlights the importance of timely military intervention and the effectiveness of rapid response mechanisms driven by community intelligence. Security analysts note that the coordination between local residents and military units in the Jos‑Bassa axis continues to disrupt kidnapping networks operating in the region. Residents of Dong Village and surrounding communities have expressed relief at the victim's safe return, while calling for sustained patrols to deter future incidents.
The rescue of Mrs Alfred comes amid a wave of kidnappings that have plagued Plateau State in recent months. Just days earlier, on August 9, troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), rescued two kidnap victims, Mr Samson Chiroma and Mr Nathaniel Nwase, who were abducted while returning to their residence at the ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos North. On August 10, troops of Sector 6 rescued a suspected kidnap victim following an attack on a vehicle in Riyom Local Government Area. The frequency of these attacks has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, with residents reporting that economic activities are gradually being suffocated by the constant threat of abduction.
The Rafin Bauna general area, where Mrs Alfred was found, is a known hideout for criminal elements operating in the region. The area's dense forests and rugged terrain have made it a favoured route for kidnappers seeking to evade security forces and launch attacks on communities in both Jos North and Bassa Local Government Areas. The troops' ability to track the kidnappers to this location and force them to abandon their victim demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the importance of community cooperation in providing timely information to security agencies.
The military has yet to issue a formal statement on the operation, though sources indicate that surveillance in the general area remains heightened. Authorities have not disclosed whether any suspects were apprehended during the pursuit, but the operation reflects an ongoing effort to degrade the capacity of criminal groups targeting civilians in north-central Nigeria. As the search for the fleeing kidnappers continues, the people of Dong Village and the wider Jos North community are left hoping that the successful rescue of Mrs Paulina Alfred marks a turning point in the fight against the kidnappers who have terrorised their communities.
For Mrs Alfred, the ordeal is over. She has been reunited with her family, her life spared by the courage and professionalism of the troops who risked their own safety to bring her home. But for the people of Plateau State, the fear remains. The kidnappers are still at large, and the forests that shield them continue to provide cover for their operations. The troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have vowed to sustain the pursuit, and the message to the criminals is clear: no matter how deep they run, the long arm of the law will follow. As one resident put it, "These soldiers are our only hope. Without them, we would have lost our people forever." The battle for the soul of Plateau's communities is far from over, but for one night, the good guys won.
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