Troops apprehend 59 suspected criminals in Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna

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Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in charge of security in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states have arrested 59 suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal mining, among other crimes, as well as recovered arms and ammunition within their joint operational areas.

The OPSH, in a statement signed by its Media Information Officer, Captain Oya James, said the troops on October 11, neutralised a suspected bandit named Saidu, aka Director, who attempted to escape after being arrested in possession of 39 rounds of 7.62mm Special, a mobile phone, a headset, and some money.

According to the statement, before the suspect was neutralised, he confessed to having bought the ammunition from one Usman in Bisichi, adding that the troops mobilised to the house but met his absence and recovered one AK 47 rifle, five cartridges, one Baofeng radio/charger, one woodland camouflage vest, and one black trouser.

The statement further depicted that on the same day, troops deployed at Qua’anpan local government area of Plateau State Command neutralised one armed robber while others fled with bullet wounds during an armed robbery attack along Amingo-Lafia road in Qua’anpan council area and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 2 rounds of 7.62mm Special, 1 Techno mobile phone, and a pair of socks.

It was equally pointed out that the troops on October 9, 2023, engaged bandits in a gun duel around Jimlari village while moving to Ardo Kola village, adding that the troops’ superior firepower forced the bandits to flee, with many sustaining high degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Troops further exploited the area and rescued two kidnapped civilians, Musa Alhaji Bello and Dauda, earlier kidnapped by the bandits. Troops recovered one mobile phone,one torchlight, 36 empty cases, some drugs, 5 blankets, 2 cooking pots, 3 gallons, 2 plates, 9 mats, and other household items. Similarly, on October 10, 2023, troops acting on credible information arrested a notorious kidnapper, Madu Abubakar, at Kwa village in Qua’anpan LGA.

“The suspect was arrested with 4 rounds of 7.62mm Special and one motorcycle. A preliminary investigation linked the suspect to the recent kidnapping of an accountant with Union Bank in the Doemark general area. Also on October 12, 2023, troops of Sector 4 foiled an attempted attack by suspected militias on Bisichi village in Barkin Ladi LGA and recovered one motorcycle.

“Additionally, the OPSH tactical team arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mamu Dauda and Mohammed Zakari, who have been on the wanted list of OPSH at Zango Urban in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. While carrying out the operation, troops recovered one rifle, one motorcycle, three mobile phones, one dagger, and some money.

The OPSH added that six suspected kidnappers and a gunrunner with different arms and ammunition were also arrested within the joint operation areas of Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states.

It added that within the week, 2 armed robbers and bandits were neutralized, 39 suspects were arrested with arms and ammunition, 5 criminals were convicted, 13 victims were rescued from kidnappers, 3 drug peddlers were arrested, 2 railway vandals were nabbed, 7 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred, and 15 distress calls were promptly responded to.

However, the Commander OPSH, Major General A.E Abubakar, commended the people of Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Bauchi State for the prompt dissemination of information, which has largely been responsible for the successes recorded so far.

He assured that OPSH would continue to go after criminal elements in a bid to deny them freedom of action and protect the lives and property of citizens.

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