Troops attached to Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have gunned down four bandits and arrested at least 19 suspects, including kidnappers, cattle rustlers and armed robbers in a series of raids on criminals’ hideouts in Plateau and Kaduna states.
The operations were carried out from October 29 to November 5, 2023, the Nigerian Army disclosed in a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) page on Tuesday.
“A total of 19 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes. Three were arrested for kidnapping while four were arrested for murder. Four suspects were arrested in connection with attacks on villages and two for illicit drug peddling while four bandits were neutralised. Also, four victims were rescued from kidnappers, while six attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and 13 distress calls responded to,” the statement read in part.
On 29 October 2023, the troops arrested two suspected drug dealers, Mr Obinna Nwafor and Fatai Lawal at Kujiya Market Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State and recovered a locally fabricated rifle.
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The following day, operatives of Sector 7 OPSH arrested a suspected kidnapper, Bawa Ahmad at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State and recovered one locally fabricated rifle as well as cartridges.
“On October 30, 2023, based on credible information, troops arrested three suspects, Ibrahim Mohammed, Salisu Abdullahi and Idris Abdullahi in connection with the attack on farmers at Mai Hakorin Gold village in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State.
“Similarly, troops arrested three suspects, David Emmanuel, Moses Dalyop and Gabriel Davou in connection with the murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Abdulkarim Saidu, at Shonong village in Riyom LGA, Plateau State.
“The suspects were arrested at Fang village in Riyom LGA on 30 October 2023. Suspects led troops to recover the corpse of the murdered motorcyclist. On the same day, troops rescued one Ms Abigail Felix earlier kidnapped on October 28, 2023, at Angwan Malam village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. The victim has since been reunited with her family,” the statement said.
On November 1, two suspected motorcycle snatchers, Samaila Nasiru, Bashir Sani were arrested at Riyom general area, Plateau State. The troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force also rescued two kidnapped victims at Zobolo general area in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.
They apprehended one Mr Suleimanu Audu on Friday, November 3 at Gidan Auta village in connection with kidnapping and raping of two victims on September 24.
On the same day, security operatives attached to Sector 4 OPSH arrested Sarajo Adam, a notorious armed robber, at Kwog village in Barkin Ladi LGA. He was said to have been on the wanted list of security agencies for several robbery activities in Barkin Ladi and environs.
“On November 4, 2023, troops arrested Mr Abdullahi Abubakar Lawyer at Rimin Zayam village in Toro LGA of Bauchi State in connection to the killing of own Mobile Police personnel on 2 November 2023 at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA.The suspect equally admitted to being involved in kidnapping activities and other sundry crimes with other gang members.
“Similarly, on November 4, 2023, following the kidnap of Reverend Father Andrew Anana in his residence at Saint Francis Catholic Church Godo Godo district in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State, troops conducted a search operation and rescued the victim unhurt. Two suspects in connection with the kidnap, Isia Etopia and Musa Opisa confessed to the crime.
“Based on his confessional statement, on November 5, 2023, troops conducted raid operations at Kambal and Hurti villages in Bokkos LGA and arrested Yakubu Saidu and Nasiru Mohammed in connection with the crime. Items recovered include 233 rounds of 7.62mm special, one Techno mobile phone, one Itel mobile phone and one motorcycle,” the statement added.
The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General AE Abubakar, reiterated the resilience of OPSH while seeking the people the continued support of Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi states residents for the troops.
He added that all the suspects in custody would be charged accordingly once investigations were concluded.
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