Troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, of Operation Enduring Peace have rescued a seven-year-old herder who went missing while grazing cattle in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 5:34 p.m. on July 5 after troops received a report that the child, identified as Umar Ali, had disappeared while grazing cattle around the bushes near Shen community.
According to the sources, the troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding area and successfully located the missing boy.
Preliminary findings indicated that the child had been chased away by some residents of Shen community after his cattle reportedly strayed into areas where they were not permitted to graze.
Following the rescue, the troops handed the boy over safely to a Fulani youth leader in Sabon Gari, Jos East Local Government Area, for onward reunification with his family and other necessary arrangements.
Security sources said the prompt intervention by the troops prevented the incident from escalating and underscored the importance of timely security response in addressing disputes that could trigger wider communal tensions.
By Zagazola Makama
