2nd March, 2024
The special military task force in charge of the security of Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna states, code-named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has revealed how much it dealt with criminal networks responsible for killings and insecurity in Plateau within the last two months.
The task force said it recovered not less than 1,167 arms from the criminals.
While briefing newsmen at the OPSH headquarters, in Jos, Terzungwe Iyua who represented the commander said, “We have dominated the entire landscape and frustrated the activities of criminal elements, leading to the arrest of suspected criminals, neutralization of bandits and recovery of illegal weapons/ammunition amongst others.
“On February 2, 2024, personnel arrested two suspects, Ibrahim Mohammed, 52, and Zaharadeen Ibrahim, 34, who were identified in a viral video while murdering someone during the crisis in Mangu on January 24, 2024. Security agencies also recorded significant breakthroughs against illegal manufacturing and proliferation of arms.
“On February 14, 2024, while acting on credible information, a local weapon fabrication factory on a high ground within Pakachi village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State was raided. A suspect, Tapshak Plangi, 25, was arrested at the factory while the alleged owner of the factory was at large. Items recovered at the factory include five AK 47 Rifles, four AK 47 Magazines, eleven Rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, five Rounds of 9mm Ammunition, 21 Dane Guns, four Revolver Rifles, eleven Pistols with five Magazines, seventeen Gun Barrels, six Rounds of 0.44 Inch Ammunition, a Carbide Cylinder with Accessories, 3 Saws, 12 Filing Machines, four Hammers, six Manual Drilling Machines, two Electrically Operated Filling Machines, two G-Clamps, one Spraying Machine, one Tiger Generator, and Assorted Drilling Irons.
“On February 21 and 23, 2024, security agencies arrested five suspects who attacked Kitako Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on February 11, 2024. The suspects include Alhaji Ya’u Idris, Samaila Idris, Abdulsalam Ibrahim, Buhari Mahmoud, Yahuza Ibrahim, Gadaffi Saidu, and Adamu Buba.
“The suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
“In the same vein, on February 22, 2024, personnel acting on credible information arrested Mohammed Bello also known as Harabu Dan Zamfara for sewing military uniforms for suspected bandits at Mangu Halle in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. During the arrest, security agencies recovered one pistol, one cartridge, one desert camouflage t-shirt, and one mobile phone amongst others.”