29th August, 2023
By Polycarp Auta
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have arrested 17 suspects over alleged murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal acts.
Capt. James Oya, the media officer of the operation, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.
According to Oya, the suspects were arrested between Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 at various locations within its area of responsibility.
“Troops arrested five suspects for killing one, Mr. Joshua Deme, on his farm at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the Plateau.
We have also carried out a sting operation at Jagindi Tasha village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where a suspected kidnapper, Mr. Baba Habu, who has been on our wanted list, was arrested.
“We also foiled a kidnapping attempt at Angwan Takai village in Bokkos Local Government Area of the Plateau, and this was possible upon prompt response by the troops to a distress call.
“In all, troops arrested 17 suspects, rescued nine kidnapped victims, foiled six armed robbery attempts, and attempted attacks on vulnerable communities within the period under review,” he said.
He said that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition from some of the suspects.
“In a similar development, troops raided the hideouts of criminals at Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf local government areas of Plateau and Kaduna and recovered one pistol, cartridges, and rounds of 7.62mm special.
“A notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, was also arrested in Kafanchan town by troops, and two fabricated rifles and one pistol were recovered.
“Troops also intercepted a truck with registration number EKY-617-XF conveying vandalised railway tracks along Gidan Ado village in Riyom.
“A drug kingpin, Maxwell Davou, was nabbed during a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye Foundation Du in Jos South.
“A fighting patrol made contact around Alaghom and Mangu, axis leading to the neutralisation of some bandits and recovering one AK-47 rifle and another fabricated rifle,” he said.
The media officer added that troops arrested 237 cows within the period for destroying crops on farms in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.
NAN