by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Troops of 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven have revealed that, for the past 2 months, it has witnessed “intensive offensive operations” around the borders between Plateau and Taraba States, leading to the recovery of 18 kidnapped victims.
Briefing newsmen at Operation Safe Haven Headquarters Jos, on Thursday, by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, he said this was in continuation of its efforts to ensure the security of lives and property across the joint operations areas.
The kidnapped victims were recovered between Plateau and Taraba States’ borders, around Bangalala and Kinishi Forests stretching across Wase and Jarim Lamido Local Gov Areas of Plateau and Taraba States.
According to him, the released victims have since been reunited with their families after profiling and documentation by relevant agencies.
Also on the on the 23 of December, 2024, the troops of Sector 5 OPSH on ‘Op Golden Peace’ arrested 5 bandits at a criminal hideout at Tarangol, in Bokkos Local Government Area of the State, and items recovered include 3 fabricated rifles, 2 rounds of 7.62mm (special), 4 cartridges and 2 daggers.
“On the 25 December 2024, the Op Golden Peace intercepted 5 bandits at Jannaret, in Mangu Local Government Area of the state, while attempting to cause mayhem in the general area.”
He noted that, “One (1) fabricated rifle and 4 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) were recovered from the criminals,” adding that the suspects are in their custody making useful confessions.
According to him, “On the 27 and 28 December, 2024, the troops arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin, one Musa Abubakar (aka “Haburuwa”) at Jebbu Village, in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, and one Mosaje who coordinates activities of supplying weapons to a criminal syndicate at Dengi, in Kanam Local Government of Plateau State.
Major Zahkom further explained that, “On the 1st January 2025, troops arrested a member of gunrunning syndicate at New Layout in Bokkos, recovered 2 fabricated pistols, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (special) and ammunition.”
He explained that, on the same day, 2 suspect gunrunners were intercepted at Angwan Rimi checkpoint at Kafanchan, in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and recovered 1 fabricated pistol, 1 round of 7.62 mm (special) and 1 jack-knife from the suspects.
Others were a foiled kidnapping incident at Angwan Nungu Village, in Sanga local government of Kaduna State. 4 suspect kidnappers were arrested and troops recovered 1 Dane gun from the suspects.
While on the 4 January, 2025, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op Golden Peace laid ambush at the hideout of kidnappers collaborator disguised as a ‘POS operator’ at Angwan Hausawa in Bokkos local government.
He said during the operation, the kidnappers approached the shop to collect ransom money paid by a victim to the collaborator’s account and tried to escape, but were arrested.
In the same vein, a teenager, who was being used by kidnappers as an errand boy, was intercepted, and troops recovered cash sums of N200,000:00 from the suspect.