by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
In a bid to rid Southern Kaduna and environs of criminal activities being perpetrated by non-state actors, troops have rescued 5 victims, namely: Mr Abdullahi Saleh, 38 years old; Master Blessed Haruna, 17 years old; Mrs Mary Nuhu, 32 years old; Mrs Charity Nuhu, 35 years old and Mr Abubakar Wakili, 25 years old, from kidnappers’ hideout.
A statement was signed and issued to newsmen in Jos by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, who is Media Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, in which it indicated that, “Troops pursued and arrested 3 kidnappers identified as Mr Abubakar Shehu, 30 years old; Mr Mohammed Sani, 20 years old and Mr Adamu Mohammed, 25 years old.
According to the statement, “Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on ‘Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A’ have continued to record tremendous successes in the fight against criminalities in the general area.”
The statement further explained that, “On 2 March 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on the recently-launched Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A conducted intelligence-based operation to rescue abducted persons at Boto Forest in Zangon-Kataf local government area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals in the forest and subdued them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee.
“Consequently, troops rescued 5 victims, Mr Abdullahi Saleh, 38 years old; Master Blessed Haruna, 17 years old; Mrs Mary Nuhu, 32 years old; Mrs Charity Nuhu, 35 years old and Mr Abubakar Wakili, 25 years old from the hideout. Troops pursued and arrested 3 kidnappers identified as Mr Abubakar Shehu, 30 years old; Mr Mohammed Sani, 20 years old and Mr Adamu Mohammed, 25 years old.
“While further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one fabricated revolver rifle, 9 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 2 mobile phones, 2 machetes, 32 rustled cows and cash sum of Five Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand Naira (N521,000.00) only suspected to be proceeds from ransoms collected.”
It stated that “the troops debriefed the rescued victims and reunited them with their families, while one of the victims, who sustained machete cut injuries, was evacuated to the hospital for treatment.
“The suspects are in custody, making useful confessions to aid troops in follow-up operations to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate.
“Also in addition, on 3 March 2025, troops on Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A conducted sting, based on credible intelligence on the movement of arms and ammunition by criminal elements.
“During the operation, troops intercepted a blue coloured OPEL VECTRA Saloon car at Mallagun checkpoint in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. Upon searching the vehicle, troops discovered one fabricated revolver rifle concealed in a black bag belonging to one of the passengers identified as Mr Anthony Elisha, aged 24 years, from Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.”
According to the statement, “during preliminary questioning of the suspect, he confirmed ownership of the bag containing the weapon and claimed to have been sent by a Civil Police personnel to deliver the weapon to another criminal at Rami Kura, in Lere LGA of Kaduna State.
“The suspect is in custody providing information on his cohorts to aid troops in carrying out follow-up operations to apprehend the ‘civil police personnel’ and other members of the criminal syndicate.
“The Operation SAFE HAVEN assured that it is poised to make its Joint Operations Area safe from criminal elements and, therefore, urged the general public to continue to furnish troops with useful and timely information, while we champion the restoration of permanent peace to our JOA.”