Two residents of Dong community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State remain in captivity after a disturbing abduction on Sunday night, September 15th, reigniting concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Jos North and Bassa.
The victims, Miss Allwell Plangdes Nelson, a female corps member currently serving in Bauchi State, and Bright Bernard, a university undergraduate were reportedly taken by armed men who stormed a family residence during a heavy downpour.
Narrating the incident, a resident and relative of the victims, Mr. Solomon Dansura, described the attack as terrifying and traumatic.
“We had just returned from fellowship and were relaxing at home when I heard shattering sounds at the window. I saw a man in a hood trying to force his way in,”
“When they couldn’t break through, they came to the main door with an axe, a digger, and other weapons. I managed to escape to call for help, but by the time we returned, they had already taken my sister-in-law and a young man staying with us.”He recounted.
According to Mr. Dansura, the assailants asked for him specifically before ransacking the home and carting away valuables alongside the two victims.
Although security personnel arrived later that night and further engagements were made the following day, he said there has been no follow-up since then.
“Soldiers came around 11 p.m., and the police asked us to file a report the next day. But there has been no follow-up or surveillance. To the best of my knowledge, we haven’t received any protection,” he lamented.
He further disclosed that the abductors made contact the following morning using one of the stolen phones.“They said they were holding our relatives. I’m a civil servant, and the demand they made is far beyond my capacity. We’ve been pleading with them,” he said.
The incident has intensified fear within the Dong community, which has suffered similar attacks in the past.
Local youths say the latest abduction only reflects the escalating insecurity in the area.“We were deeply saddened by the incident,” said Arin Cletus Izang, Secretary of the Dong Community Youths.
“Sadly, this is not new to us. As youths, we’ve been doing what we can — monitoring, making inquiries, and supporting the affected families. But we need real intervention.”
He pointed out that, despite gestures of concern from some political leaders, the community’s lack of critical infrastructure continues to expose residents to danger.
“It may surprise you to know that our community does not have a single police post. When incidents like this happen, we wait for hours before any response comes,” Arin said.
Nonetheless, he commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Rantya Police Station for his responsiveness, while calling for more concrete support from both state and federal authorities.
“This is not the time for promises,” he stressed. “We need visible, lasting security presence in our community.”
The latest incident comes just days after a separate attack in Agingi, a neighboring community, heightening fears among residents over what many now view as a trend of targeted kidnappings in Jos North and Bassa LGAs.
While families of the abducted individuals continue to hope and pray for their safe return, community members are urging authorities to take proactive steps to forestall future attacks.
“Security is a constitutional responsibility, We cannot keep living like this — building our homes, providing our own water, light, and now even our own security. Government must rise to its duty.” Mr Dansura added.
As of the time of filing this report, the victims remain in captivity. Efforts to reach security agencies for official comment were unsuccessful.
