Gunmen have kidnapped five persons and shot two others during an early morning attack in Mista Ali community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack occurred opposite Nnenza filling station at about 3:45am on Tuesday, November 10, when troops deployed in the community responded to a distress call reporting a kidnapping incident.

According to security sources, the troops arrived at the scene and discovered that the assailants had abducted five residents.

The victims were identified as Nathaniel David, Musa Saleh, Zakariya Saleh, Mrs Faith Yusuf and Mrs Tina John.

The gunmen also shot two other persons, identified as Alhaji Abdullahi Usman Biyu and Maryam Adamu, before fleeing with the abducted victims.

The injured victims were subsequently evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.

Following the attack, troops, working alongside other security agencies, launched search-and-rescue operations to locate the kidnapped residents and track down the fleeing assailants.

The incident adds to the security challenges confronting communities in Plateau State and other parts of the North-Central region, where residents have continued to face attacks, kidnappings and disputes involving farmers and herders. (The Sun)