Nigerian Army Rescues Plateau Clergyman After Fierce Gun Battle With Kidnappers

The Nigerian Army has successfully rescued Reverend Ephraim Yakubu, a Plateau-based cleric who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in the Miango district of Bassa Local Government Area. The dramatic rescue, which unfolded after a brief but intense exchange of gunfire, has drawn widespread commendation and renewed hope in the military’s counter-kidnapping efforts across the region.

Reverend Yakubu was kidnapped on December 3, 2025, in Agingi Village along the ever-busy Rukuba Road. According to early security reports, the clergyman had been standing outside his residence when armed assailants seized him and whisked him away into the surrounding hills. His abduction caused immediate anxiety among residents, particularly because the Miango axis has in recent years faced recurring attacks, raids, and kidnappings by criminal networks that exploit the rugged terrain of the area.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who has closely monitored developments across Plateau and neighbouring states, confirmed that the kidnappers moved the reverend into the high ground overlooking Miango, an area where dense vegetation and rock formations often provide cover for criminal hideouts. The kidnappers held him overnight as they attempted to evade military detection.

At approximately 7:40 a.m. on December 4, troops conducting a clearance operation on the Miango high ground encountered the armed kidnappers. The soldiers, who had been on a routine patrol meant to flush out criminal elements in the region, immediately engaged the suspects when they attempted to flee with their hostage. A brief but fierce gun battle ensued. Outgunned and overwhelmed, the kidnappers abandoned Reverend Yakubu and escaped deeper into the forested environment.

When the soldiers reached the area where the kidnappers had camped, they found the clergyman tied beneath a rock formation, visibly weak and showing signs of physical injury. Despite his condition, he was conscious and able to speak with the troops. The soldiers quickly administered initial aid before transporting him to the 3 Division Military Specialist Hospital, located within the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment in Rukuba, for comprehensive medical treatment. Military medical staff later confirmed that he was responding well and in stable condition.

A search of the scene of the confrontation led to the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, equipped with an eight-round 9mm magazine. Security experts believe the weapon may be part of a larger stockpile used by criminal gangs operating in Plateau’s rural corridors. The army has since intensified efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers, launching follow-up operations in surrounding bushes, rocky outcrops, and footpaths frequently used by armed groups.

The rescue operation has been praised as evidence of heightened military readiness and improved response times under ongoing anti-kidnapping strategies. Residents of Miango and Bassa communities have expressed relief at Reverend Yakubu’s safe return, though many continue to call for long-term security measures to prevent recurring abductions and attacks.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement, reaffirmed its determination to dismantle criminal networks preying on rural populations and urged communities to share intelligence that could assist in the arrest of the kidnappers who escaped during the operation.