by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV says during its several operations launched, from 25 September to 4 October 2023, they have arrested 91 criminal suspects in connection with kidnapping of University of Jos Students, attack on Takania Village, farm destruction, armed robbery, drug peddling and cattle rustling, amongst others.
In all, a total of 91 arrests were effected, 7 suspected kidnappers, 6 suspected armed robbers, 2 cattle rustlers arrested, while 4 victims were rescued from kidnappers, 5 attacks on vulnerable communities deterred and 2 kidnap attempts thwarted. Troops also responded promptly to a total of 24 distress calls.
The notorious kidnappers, Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman, who have been on wanted list of OPSH, were arrested at Mista Ali Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A statement was signed and issued to newsmen in Jos by the Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN, Captain Oya James, who said the suspects during interrogation narrated that they were involved in the kidnapping of 7 students of University of Jos (UNIJOS) in July 2023.
Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special.
The statement indicated that, the troops acting on credible information also arrested Mr Goma Abubakar and Jibril Abass in connection to the attack on Takania Village in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State where six persons were murdered in cold blood.
According to him, the troops also arrested two notorious armed robbers/kidnappers, Nasiru Ahmed and Isah Mamuda, at Kok Village in Barkin Ladi LGA, while Manu Sale and Amir Shaba – a notorious robbery syndicate – operating along Barkin Ladi-Mangu Road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were also arrested alongside an armed robbery gang leader, Mr Shaibu Abubakar, at NTV Village in Barkin Ladi LGA.
Troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Yakubu (a.k.a “Yellow”) at Amper Checkpoint in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, while trying to collect kidnapping ransoms. Items recovered from the suspects include, 1 cutlass, knife, 2 mobile phones and local charms.
While on mobile operations, troops at Bokkos Local Government Area arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ori, at Gwandu Village in Bokkos Local Government Area, while the troops also foiled a cattle rustling incident at Maiyango Village in Bassa LGA and rescued 145 cows and handed them over to the owners.
According to the OPSH, during the operations, troops recovered 3 rifles, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 3 axes. Additionally, 57 cows were detained for grazing on farmlands at Rim Village in Riyom LGA.
Furthermore, troops thwarted an attempt to kidnap one Hon Magai Peter in his residence at Ruku Village in Barkin Ladi LGA and another victim at Jeisey Village.
The Media Information Officer further explained that, the troops’ superior fire power during encounter with the kidnappers forced them to abandon their mission and flee, and it recovered items, which included 2 Bajaj Boxers motorcycles.
Troops also rescued two kidnapped victims, Miss Silva Hassan and Salvation Obadiah, at Zangang Hill, Kaura Village in Kaduna State, and also, 7 farmers were rescued at Jipun Village, Pushit District of Mangu Local Government Area from suspected militias, while harvesting crops in their farms.
However, one prime suspect, Ibrahim Isah, was arrested in connection with the incident, while at Nimba Forest in Riyom LGA, one Bukar Kaigama was rescued from kidnappers by the troops.
The Troops also intercepted a truck carrying 720 bags of Urea fertilizer with fake clearance documents. Four occupants of the truck were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation.
In a similar development, troops also arrested a suspected cultist, Mafeng Gwott, at Legislative Quarters in Jos North Local Government Area and recovered a pistol loaded with 9mm special ammunition.
It also rescued a motorcycle snatcher from mobs at Gyero Junction in Jos South LGA and handed him over to the Nigeria Police Bukuru Division for further action.
The OPSH troops equally arrested two herders in connection with willful destruction of farmlands at Gyero general area whilst rescuing a herder, Sani Mahmuda, who was earlier, declared missing at Kwonga Village in Jos East.
Based on a tip off, troops conducted cordon-and-search operations in a criminal hideout at Zango Urban area of Ungwan Fulani Bayan Dutse in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, and items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, 4 pistols, 4 motorcycles, cache of ammunitions and one AK-47 magazine.
While within the week, OPSH also secured the conviction of 4 suspects: Kabiru Lawal, Sadiq Mohammed Dahiru, Umar Yusuf and Dauda Elkanah for criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving of stolen property.
The suspects were sentenced to 1 year 6 months’ imprisonment each, with an option of fine, while also, the troops arrested a suspect with cannabis sativa at Miango in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.
Additionally, 67 persons were arrested in connection to violent activities around Bolari Village and 7 locally fabricated rifles were recovered, and troops further recovered 3 mobile phones and other valuable items from suspected bandits at Garin Dogo Village, who fled with gunshot wounds on contact with troops.
The Commander OPSH, Major-General AE Abubakar, appreciates the good people of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna for the cooperation so far enjoyed, and urges citizens to continually provide actionable information to troops, as they work tenaciously to protect lives and property. He assured the general public that the arrested suspects would be charged to court immediately investigations were concluded.