by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
JOS: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Maj-Gen A. Abubakar, says in continuation of robust efforts to ensure secure harvest and peaceful yuletide celebration in the Joint Operations Area, as directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen O.O. Oluyede, NAM, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN on Operation GOLDEN PEACE conducted intelligence-based raid at identified criminal hideouts at Rafiki General Area in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, with positive outcomes, including capture of notorious kidnap kingpins and recovery of cache of ammunition on 10 December, 2024.
Addressing newsmen at the Operation Safe Haven Headquarters, Jos, on Wednesday, Maj-Gen A. Abubakar said, during the operation, security agencies captured the target, identified as Mohammed Musa – also known as “Mamman,” alongside his collaborator, Mallam Alhassan Samaila.
According to him, a thorough search at the hideout of the kidnap kingpin led to the recovery of 439 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, carefully concealed in a 4-litres engine oil gallon.
He explained that, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects disguised as ‘transporters’ to convey cache ammunition to bandits in Plateau, Kaduna and Zamfara States.
The arrested suspects are making useful confessions, while security agencies are currently conducting follow-on operations to capture other members of the criminal syndicate as well as recover their arms and ammunition.
He assured that, the 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN is totally committed to ensuring the security of lives and property within the Joint Operations Area in line with operational mandates of Operation GOLDEN PEACE with additional critical combat enablers recently deployed by the CDS and COAS to further enhance operations, especially on the Plateau.
He urged well-meaning members of the public in the State to support the security agencies with timely intelligence to aid in ridding the Joint Operations Area of criminality.