*Rescue kidnapped victims, recover arms/ammunition
By; BUHARI B. BELLO, Jos
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMIS IV from 6 to 13 November 2023, arrested 15 suspects in connection with kidnapping, murder, arms dealing, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, drug peddling, farm destruction, as well as recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.
On November 6, 2023, troops arrested Jerome Bulus Alamba and Denis Yohanna at Fang village in Riyom LGA of Plateau, in connection with the murder of one Abdulkarim Saidu on October 24, 2023.
In a similar incident, on November 7, 2023, troops of Sector 5 OPSH arrested one Alhaji Yakubu Shanono in Bokkos community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State in connection with the killing of a Mobile Police personnel attached to OPSH.
On the same day, troops apprehended 75 cattle over farm destruction at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
On November 8, 2023, troops in conjunction with NDLEA Pankshin Command, conducted raid operations to the hideout of illicit drug peddlers at Bargar village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State.
The troops arrested four suspects and handed them over to NDLEA for further action. Additionally, on November 9, 2023, troops of Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV arrested two criminals, Haruna Yusuf and Zubairu Jibril while trying to bypass checkpoint at Chanso village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. The criminals were arrested in possession of one rifle.
On November 10, 2023, troops acting on credible information arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Sani Suleiman at Mista Ali village in Jos North LGA.
On the same day, troops deployed at Zangon Kataf arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Anu Usman at Kamaru village in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
Similarly, troops recovered 144 cattle rustled by unidentified gunmen during a gun duel with the miscreants at Sat village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.
On November 11, 2023, troops of Sector 6 OPSH rescued two kidnapped victims, Micheal James and John D at Angwan Buka village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State
The rescued victims were kidnapped while on transit along Hawan Kibo road in Riyom LGA, and have since been reunited with their families.
On November 12, 2023, combined troops of OPSH and Department of State Services (DSS) arrested a notorious arms dealer, Bala Inusa also known as Maigero in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
The suspect who has been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested with one AK- 47 rifle, one Ak-47 magazine, one pistol, 417 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Toyota Starlet vehicle with plate number Adamawa – MUB – 779JB, and one Dual SIM Tecno phone.
Furthermore, another gunrunner was arrested during a sting operations on November 12, 2023 at Danmakasuwa Mariri axis of Southern Kaduna with one AK-47 rifle.
Similary, on November 12, 2023 troops of OPSH Special Force while responding to a distress call at Dakanung village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State arrested one miscreant Bala Yerima and items recovered includes: one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine,6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a red coloured Boxer motocycle.
In a related development, based on intelligence gathering, troops captured one Davou Barry of Gyel District at Kara Market of Bukuru Area of Jos South LGA with 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition while trying to make an exchange.
Within the week, Operation SAFE HAVEN secured the conviction of two suspects, Zubairu Usman and Saminu Haruna, who were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft.
The suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine.
A total of 15 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes. Two were arrested for kidnapping, one for dealing in arms, 2 for murder, 4 for peddling illicit drugs and 4 for farm destruction.
Two suspects were also convicted for criminal acts.
Additionally, two kidnapped victims were rescued, four attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and seven distress calls were promptly responded to.
The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General AE Abubakar reiterates the commitment of OPSH to the protection of law-abiding citizens in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Bauchi States by all legitimate means.
He commended the populace for their continued support to troops and assured them that all arrested suspects in custody would be charged to court accordingly once investigations have been duly concluded.
