By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army and Operation Safe Haven, OpSH, keeping the peace in Plateau State, have recovered 18 kidnapped victims and reunited them with their families in Plateau, Zamfara, and Taraba States.
The troops also neutralized suspected bandits operating in their areas of operation, Major Samson Zhakom, the Military Information Officer of OpSH confirmed and gave the names of the recovered people as Saidu Ibrahim, Hassan Janyu, and Usman Haliru, all from Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
Others are Baba Sale, Abdullahi Sabo, Mallam Yahaya, Yahaya Talau, Ali Kaka, Jala Garba, Musa Yaya, Hayyu Ari, Garba Ya’u, Idi Usman, Saadu Usman, Abdullahi Ango, Auwalu Bello, and Hauwau Buba, all from the Wase local government area of Plateau State as well as Muhammadu Bello from the Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.
Zhakom, in a statement issued in Jos on Thursday, said, “The past two months witnessed intensive offensive operations around the borders between Plateau and Taraba State, especially around Bangalala and Kinishi Forests stretching across Wase and Karim Lamido LGAs of Plateau and Taraba States with positive outcomes.
“On 23 December 2024, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE captured five bandits at a criminal hideout at Tarangol in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. Items recovered from the criminals include 3 fabricated rifles, 2 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 4 cartridges, and 2 daggers. On 25 December 2024, troops on Op GOLDEN PEACE intercepted five bandits at Jannaret in Mangu LGA of Plateau State while attempting to cause mayhem. Troops recovered 1 fabricated rifle and 4 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) from the criminals. Suspects are in custody making useful confessions.
“On 27 December 2024, troops arrested a notorious kidnap kingpin, Musa Abubakar (AKA Haburuwa) at Jebbu Village in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. The suspect confessed to being responsible for kidnappings in Bassa and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State.
Furthermore, on 28 December 2024, troops captured a notorious gunrunner, Mosaje, who coordinated the activities of supplying weapons to a criminal syndicate at Dengi in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. The suspect is making useful confessions and efforts are in place to track and arrest his collaborators as well as recover their weapons.
“On 1 January 2025, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE captured a member of a gun-running syndicate at New Layout in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. Troops recovered two fabricated pistols, 3 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), and 1 cartridge from the criminal. The suspect and recovered arms and ammunition are in custody for further action.”
He added, “On the same day, troops of Sector 7 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE captured two suspected gunrunners at Angwan Rimi Checkpoint at Kafanchan in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. Troops recovered 1 fabricated pistol, 1 round of 7.62 mm (Special), and 1 jack-knife from the suspects. Likewise, on 3 January 2025, troops of FOB Sanga on Op GOLDEN PEACE foiled a kidnapping incident at Angwan Nungu Village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops captured 4 suspected kidnappers and recovered one Dane gun from the suspects.
“On 4 January 2025, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE laid ambush at the hideout of a kidnappers’ collaborator disguised as a POS operator at Angwan Hausawa in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.
The kidnappers approached the shop to collect ransom money paid by a victim to the collaborator’s account. However, the kidnappers tried to escape but one of them was neutralized. Troops arrested a teenager used by the kidnappers as an errand boy and recovered the cash sum of N200,000.00 from the suspect.” (Vanguard)
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