Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)1 in Plateau state has announced that it has made remarkable success in reducing insecurity in Plateau and Kaduna states in the previous seven days, with the arrest of 15 individuals in connection with various offences.
Kidnapping, homicide, arms trading, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, drug peddling, farm devastation, and recovered arms/ammunition and illicit substances are among them.
According to a statement signed by the Media Officer, Capt Oya James, troops of OPSH on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV on 6 November 2023, arrested Jerome Bulus Alamba and Denis Yohanna at Fang village in Riyom LGA of Plateau, in connection with the murder of one Abdulkarim Saidu on 24 October 2023.
He said that in a similar incident, on 7 November 2023, troops of Sector 5 OPSH arrested one Alhaji Yakubu Shanono in Bokkos community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State in connection with the killing of a Mobile Police personnel attached to OPSH.
“On the same day, troops apprehended 75 cows for farm destruction at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“On 8 November 2023, troops in conjunction with NDLEA Pankshin Command conducted raid operations to the hideout of illicit drug peddlers at Bargar village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. The troops arrested 4 suspects and handed them over to NDLEA for further action.
“Additionally, on 9 November 2023, troops of Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV arrested 2 criminals, Haruna Yusuf and Zubairu Jibril while trying to bypass troops’ checkpoint at Chanso village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. The criminals were arrested in possession of one rifle.
“On 10 November 2023, troops acting on credible information arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Sani Suleiman at Mista Ali village in Jos North LGA. On the same day, troops deployed at Zangon Kataf arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Anu Usman at Kamaru village in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
“Similarly, troops recovered 144 cows rustled by unidentified gunmen during a gun duel with the miscreants at Sat village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. On 11 November 2023, troops of Sector 6 OPSH rescued 2 kidnapped victims, Micheal James and John D at Angwan Buka village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. The rescued victims were kidnapped while on transit along Hawan Kibo road in Riyom LGA, and have since been reunited with their families.
“On 12 November 2023, combined troops of OPSH and Department of State Services (DSS) arrested a notorious arms dealer, Bala Inusa also known as Maigero in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“The suspect who has been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested with one AK- 47 rifle, one Ak-47 magazine, one pistol, 417 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Toyota Starlet vehicle with plate number Adamawa – MUB – 779JB, and one Dual SIM Tecno phone. Furthermore, another gunrunner was arrested during a sting operations on 12 November 2023 at Danmakasuwa Mariri axis of Southern Kaduna with one AK-47 rifle.
“Similarly, on 12 November 2023 troops of OPSH Special Force while responding to a distress call at Dakanung village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State arrested one miscreant Bala Yerima and items recovered includes: one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine,6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a red coloured Boxer motorcycle.
“In a related development, based on intelligence gathering, troops captured one Davou Barry of Gyel District at Kara Market of Bukuru Area of Jos South LGA with 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition while trying to make an exchange.
The statement said that within the week, Operation SAFE HAVEN secured the conviction of 2 suspects, Zubairu Usman and Saminu Haruna, who were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft.
The suspects, James said, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 2 years imprisonment each with an option of fine.
“A total of 15 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes. Two were arrested for kidnapping, one for dealing in arms, 2 for murder, 4 for peddling illicit drugs and 4 for farm destruction. Two suspects were also convicted for criminal acts. Additionally, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued, 4 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and 7 distress calls were promptly responded to, the statement added..