In a dramatic security operation, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) foiled what could have been a deadly attack after intercepting an armed man near a church in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday morning.
The suspect, apprehended around 8:30 a.m. during a routine patrol, was found carrying a firearm without any valid documentation or clear explanation for his presence at the worship center.
“He couldn’t justify why he was armed at a church. Our swift response likely prevented a serious security incident,” an NSCDC source stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Authorities have withheld the suspect’s identity as investigations continue. However, the arrest has rattled residents of Bokkos, a region still reeling from past violence, including the Christmas Eve massacre of December 2023 that claimed nearly 200 lives in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi.
While officials have yet to link the suspect to any known group, the timing and location have raised concerns about renewed threats to soft targets like churches. Security experts warn that the episode highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where sectarian tensions and banditry remain rampant.
Witnesses expressed relief at the NSCDC’s intervention. “This could’ve been another tragedy. God saved us today,” said a church member who saw the arrest unfold.
The NSCDC has launched a full investigation into the man’s motives and any possible ties to larger criminal or terror networks. For now, their swift action has preserved a tense peace — but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the lurking dangers that continue to haunt Plateau State.
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