Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have launched a search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of a man identified as Victor Yakong by suspected gunmen in Rangarassang Rantiya, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when the attackers struck at about 2:10 a.m. as Yakong and his colleague, Nensemk Yokshak, were attempting to enter their residence.
According to a report by conflict reporter and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the gunmen seized Yakong during the attack, while his colleague managed to escape from the scene.
Security sources disclosed that troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace, were mobilised to the area after receiving information about the abduction.
Upon arriving at the scene, the soldiers established that both men had been together when the suspected kidnappers attacked them.
Yokshak reportedly raised the alarm after escaping from the attackers, prompting security personnel to respond and deploy troops to the area.
The troops, working alongside Keystone personnel, have since commenced search operations around suspected hideouts of the kidnappers in an effort to locate Yakong and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The latest incident adds to a growing number of reported kidnappings and armed attacks in Bassa Local Government Area in recent months.
On August 6, 2026, suspected gunmen attacked Buyo Village in the area, killing one person and abducting four residents.
Similarly, on August 17, 2026, troops rescued four teenagers who were reportedly targeted by suspected kidnappers while returning from a farm in Agingi community, also in Bassa Local Government Area.
The latest abduction has further heightened concerns over the persistent security challenges confronting residents of Bassa and other parts of Plateau State.
Security forces have continued operations across affected communities to tackle kidnapping, armed attacks and other criminal activities.
As of the time of filing this report, the search-and-rescue operation was still ongoing, with troops working to secure Yakong’s safe release and track down the suspected abductors.