Troops from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) captured 39 suspected criminals in the Joint Operation Area of Operation Hakorin Damisa IV for offences ranging from banditry to abduction, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of guns, as well as the recovery of arms and hard drugs.
The OPSH Media Information Officer, Captain Oya James, in a statement on Tuesday, said the operations were carried out in the last two weeks as the suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of OPSH and Three Division Nigerian Army area of responsibility.
According to the statement, two of the suspects were wanted for involvement in many armed robberies and kidnappings, with forces recovering various types of guns.
Among the suspects apprehended was a kidnapper who also deals in firearms as well as members of a militia gang identified to be among those involved in the Heipang village attack where about 13 persons were killed.
In addition, members of a drug syndicate were rounded up during a sting operation by the troops with a large cache of drugs seized from the drug peddlers.
No fewer than 307 cows were also apprehended for grazing on farmlands in villages of Mangu and Bokkos local government areas (LGAs).
The statement also commended early warning and distress calls that prompted an early response by OPSH, leading to the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims, foiling of cattle rustling, and repelling of attacks on vulnerable communities, especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs.