By Press Unit

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Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV from 9 to 16 October 2023 neutralised bandit/armed robbers and arrested 59 suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, railway vandalism, gunrunning, illegal mining as well as recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.

On 11 October 2023, troops neutralised a suspected bandit named Saidu AKA Director, who attempted to escape after being arrested in possession of 39 rounds of 7.62mm special, mobile phone, headset and some money. Before the suspect was neutralised, he confessed to have bought the ammunition from one Usman in Bisichi. Troops mobilised to the house but met his absence and recovered one AK 47 rifle, 5 cartridges, one baofeng radio/charger, one woodland camouflage vest and one black trouser.

Similarly on the same day, troops deployed at Qua’anpan Area Command neutralised one armed robber while others fled with bullet wounds during an armed robbery attack along Amingo- Lafia road in Qua’anpan local government area of Plateau State and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 Techno mobile phone and a pair of sccks.

On 9 October 2023, troops engaged bandits in a gun duel around Jimlari village while moving to Ardo Kola village. Troops’ superior firepower forced the bandits to flee, with many sustaining high degree of gunshot wounds. Troops further exploited the area and rescued two kidnapped civilians, Musa Alhaji Bello and Dauda, earlier kidnapped by the bandits. Troops recovered one mobile phone, one torchlight, 36 empty cases, some drugs, 5 blankets, 2 cooking pots, 3 gallons, 2 plates, 9 mats and other household items.

Similarly, on 10 October 2023, troops acting on credible information arrested a notorious kidnapper, Madu Abubakar at Kwa village in Qua’anpan Local Government Area. The suspect was arrested with 4 rounds of 7.62mm special and one motorcycle. Preliminary investigation linked suspect to the recent kidnapping of an Accountant with Union Bank in Doemark general area.

Also on 12 October 2023, troops of Sector 4 foiled an attempted attack by suspected militias on Bisichi village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and recovered one motorcycle. Additionally, OPSH tactical team arrested 2 suspected kidnappers, Mamu Dauda and Mohammed Zakari, who have been on the wanted list of OPSH at Zango Urban in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

While carrying out the operation, troops recovered one rifle, one motorcycle, 3 mobile phones, one dagger and some amount of money. Troops also arrested 2 suspected kidnappers, Aliyu Usman and Umar Babuga at Jagindi Tashe village in Jema’a Local Government Area.

Furthermore, troops conducted raid operation at Mararaban Sabon Gida in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abdulkadir Rufai who is a member of a criminal gang terrorizing Sanga general area.

Also, on 10 October 2023, troops deployed at Dukku Local Government Area arrested 2 suspects, Malam Malkudi Dothy and Malam Danladi Ibrahim with one pistol and 2 motorcycles.

In the same vein, troops on 12 October 2023 arrested a suspected gunrunner, Mohammed Kabiru at Koko Ibi Lau Local Government Area and recovered one pistol and 3 cartridges.

Similarly, troops deployed at Mangu Local Government Area, arrested a suspect with a rifle, AK 47 magazine, a plier and hammer. On 12 October 2023, troops while on patrol also arrested one Ayuba Sati at Jannaret in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State with one AK 47 rifle, one empty AK 47 magazine, one motorcycle, one jerrycan, one techno mobile phone and some amount of money.

On 11 October 2023, troops arrested one Azi Ashom Abubakar at White House Hotel Haske Quarters in Jos East Local Government Area. During the arrest, troops recovered one SMG, one locally fabricated pistol loaded with 8 rounds of 9mm, 17 cartridges, 3 empty cartridge cases, one fragmental jacket, 2 knives, one Gionee mobile phone and some amount of money.

Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 7 rounds of 7.62mm special from a gun duel with bandits at Yelwa, Jalingo Local Government Area. On 13 October 2023, troops arrested 3 suspects Goma Abubakar, Mohammadu Zakari, Hussein Isa and Isa Mohammed for planning to attack villages in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

During the arrest, troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, 4 pistols and 5 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Meanwhile, on 14 October 2023, troops foiled attempted attack at Denche village in Jos East Local Government Area.

Troops engaged the miscreants and forced them to flee abandoning 2 motorcycles. Similarly, troops arrested a suspect at Garin Yarima Gessol and recovered 4 x AK 47 rifles, and 4 magazines.

Also on 13 October 2023, OPSH troops of Sector 7 raided criminals’ hideout at Gidan Waya general area in Jema’a Local Government Area and arrested 4 suspects Bala Awodi, Audu Bala, Ishaku Musa and Murtala Ibrahim.

Also, Ibrahim Muhammed was arrested at Mavo area, Jos North for attempted murder and handed over to the Nigeria Police Angwan Rogo Division for further action.

Additionally, on 9 October 2023, troops recovered 10 rustled cows at Bugal village bordering Mangu and Barkin Local Government Areas. In the same vein, troops of Sector 6 arrested 4 suspected cattle rustlers, Zaka Alamba, Awilo Davou, Bulus Alamba and Bulus Dachung Dongo at Tahoss village in Riyom Local Government Area.

Furthermore, troops of Sector 5 on 14 October 2023 recovered 80 rustled sheep abandoned by the criminals who fled after sighting troops stationed at Takai village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. Another 69 cows were recovered for grazing on farmlands at Vodni village in Mangu Local Government Area.

Similarly, on 11 October 2023, troops of Sector 4 rescued Mr Dung Gyang who was abandoned inside water after he was attacked by unknown gunmen at Lokojoro village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Troops also averted farmers/herders clash at Tashek village in Riyom Local Government Area. In the same vein, troops on 13 October 2023, foiled an attempt to kidnap Mr Ibrahim Kyamyam at Saya village in Bassa Local Government Area, after forcing the kidnappers to flee due to the superior firepower of troops.

Also on 15 October 2023, troops in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police and hunters rescued 11 female farmers kidnapped while working on their farmlands at Riruwa village in Toro Local Government Area.

Based on credible information, troops arrested 2 suspected drug peddlers, Joseph Isaac and Henry Pam with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs. Troops deployed at Sector 6 also arrested a suspected drug peddler, Yushau Usman during a stop and search operation along Hawan Kibo road in Riyom Local Government Area.

Also, on 10 October 2023, troops stationed at Manchok intercepted a truck loaded with railway materials suspected to have been vandalized from Kafanchan in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State and arrested 2 suspects who were occupants of the truck. Furthermore, on 15 October 2023, 31 illegal miners were arrested at forest Kara market in Jos South Local Government Area.

Operation SAFE HAVEN between 9 to 16 October 2023, secured the conviction of 5 suspects named Hamisu Gyang, Pam Ibrahim, Mafeng Gwott, Ibrahim Mohammed and Abdullahi Abubakar charged for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, theft and culpable homicide. The suspects were sentenced to 6 months imprisonment each with an option of fine.

Also, within the week, 2 armed robbers/bandits were neutralised, 39 suspects arrested with arms and ammunition, 5 criminals convicted, 13 victims rescued from kidnappers, 3 drug peddlers arrested, 2 railway vandals nabbed, 7 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and 15 distress calls were promptly responded to.

The Commander OPSH, Major General A.E Abubakar appreciates the good people of Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Bauchi State for prompt dissemination of information which has largely been responsible for the successes recorded so far. OPSH would continue to go after criminal elements in a bid to deny them freedom of action and protect the lives and property of citizens. Troops remain poised to address any emerging security threats while all arrested suspects in custody would be charged to court immediately investigations are concluded.

Views exclusively rights: Press Unit, Nigerian Army, October 17, 2023.