The Department of State Services (DSS) has rescued 25 children who were kidnapped by gunmen in Sabon Layi community of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. The children were rescued unhurt after days in captivity, bringing relief to their families and residents of the area.
The rescued children were formally received on Saturday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Samuel Jatau, on behalf of the state government.
Speaking while receiving the victims, Jatau explained that the children were abducted on December 21, 2025, at about 7:00 p.m. while travelling together for a religious event.
According to him, the children were on their way to attend a Maulud celebration, an Islamic event held to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. The group was travelling peacefully when they were stopped on the road by men who pretended to be members of a local vigilante group.
“If you recall, on December 21, 2025, 25 children were kidnapped in the Sabon Layi area of Wase,” Jatau said. “They were travelling as a group for Maulud celebration, and this group of kidnappers pretended to be vigilantes on the road.”
He explained that the kidnappers carried out what looked like routine security checks, which made the children and those with them believe the men were genuine.
“As they stopped for the normal checks and discussions, it happened that they were kidnappers,” he said.
The attackers then took the children away to an unknown location, leaving families and the entire community in shock and fear.
Following the abduction, security agencies were alerted, and a joint effort was launched to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims. Jatau said the DSS played a leading role in the operation that eventually led to the safe rescue of the children.
He noted that the DSS acted swiftly, using intelligence and field operations to locate where the children were being held.
“The security agencies, particularly the DSS, launched a manhunt and rescued all the children unhurt,” Jatau said.
He added that three of the children had earlier managed to escape on their own before the final rescue operation was concluded.
According to the SSG, all the rescued children were found to be in stable condition. He said medical checks were carried out to ensure their health and safety before they were handed over to the state government.
The victims include six females and 19 males. Jatau confirmed that medical personnel certified them fit and healthy enough to be reunited with their families.
“They have been certified medically fit to be reunited with their families,” he said.
The moment was emotional as government officials, security operatives, and concerned residents expressed gratitude that the children were rescued alive.
The Plateau State Government praised the DSS for what it described as a major security success. Jatau thanked the agency for its professionalism, dedication, and commitment to protecting lives.
He said the rescue showed that security agencies could achieve results when they work with accurate intelligence and strong coordination.
“The state government is grateful to the DSS for this feat,” Jatau said. “This rescue has brought joy to many families and hope to our communities.”
He also reassured residents that the government remains committed to improving security across the state.
Plateau State has faced several security challenges in recent years, including kidnappings, bandit attacks, and communal violence, especially in rural areas. Wase Local Government Area, which is located in the southern part of the state, has experienced incidents of criminal activities linked to armed groups.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a major problem in many parts of Nigeria, affecting highways, villages, and even religious gatherings. Children and women are often among the most vulnerable victims.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns about criminals disguising themselves as security personnel or vigilantes to deceive innocent people.
Residents of Sabon Layi community expressed relief and happiness following the rescue. Many described the days after the abduction as dark and painful, as families waited anxiously for news of their children.
Community leaders thanked the government and security agencies for their efforts and called for more patrols and security presence in the area to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Some parents of the rescued children said they could not sleep properly after the abduction and described the rescue as a miracle.
Following the incident, the Plateau State Government advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies. The government also urged travellers to be careful, especially when travelling in groups at night or through remote areas.
Jatau said the government would continue to support security agencies with the resources needed to combat crime and protect lives.
The successful rescue of the 25 children has been seen as a positive development in the fight against kidnapping in Plateau State. While challenges remain, the operation has renewed hope among residents that security agencies can respond effectively to criminal activities.
As the rescued children prepare to reunite with their families, many are calling for justice against those responsible for the abduction and stronger measures to prevent future attacks.