Troops of Operation Safe Haven in charge of maintaining peace in Plateau State, have again arrested 19 suspected kidnappers in the state.
This is coming barely two weeks after the troops arrested 73 kidnappers, including bandits who have been terrorising various communities in the state and the neighbouring Kaduna State.
The spokesman for the military taskforce, Captain Oya James, confirmed the arrest of the 19 new suspects in a statement he issued in Jos on Tuesday, disclosing that the troops also neutralised more bandits and rescued some kidnapped victims during the latest operation which lasted about one week.
The statement read in part, “Troops of Operation Safe Haven SAF on Operation Hakorin Danisa IV from October 29 to November 5, 2023, neutralised suspected bandits and arrested 19 suspects in connection with kidnapping, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, armed robbery, farm destruction, theft as well as recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.
“On October 29, 2023, based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected drug dealers, Obinna Nwafor and Fatai Lawal at Kujiya Market Bukuru in Jos South LGA, Plateau State. During the arrest, troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle. Suspects are being profiled for further action.
“Similarly, on October 30, 2023, troops of Sector 7 OPSH arrested a suspected kidnapper, Bawa Ahmad at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State and recovered one locally fabricated rifle with cartridges in his possession. In a related development, on November 1, 2023, troops arrested two motorcycle thieves, Samaila Nasiru and Bashir Sani at Riyom general area, Plateau State.
“In the same vein, on November 3, 2023, troops arrested Suleimanu Audu at Gidan Auta village in connection with kidnapping and raping of two victims on September 24, 2023.
Additionally, on 3 November 2023, based on credible information, troops of Sector 4 OPSH arrested Sarajo Adam, a notorious armed robber, at Kwog village in Barkin Ladi LGA. The arrested robber has been on the wanted list of security agencies for several robbery activities in Barkin Ladi general area and environs.
“On October 30, 2023, based on credible information, troops arrested three suspects, Ibrahim Mohammed, Salisu Abdullahi and Idris Abdullahi in connection with the attack on farmers at Mai Hakorin Gold village in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State.”
The statement added that troops also arrested three suspects, David Emmanuel, Moses Dalyop and Gabriel Davou in connection with the murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Abdulkarim Saidu, at Shonong village in Riyom LGA, Plateau State.
The suspects were said to have been arrested at Fang village in Riyom LGA on October 30, 2023.
The statement added, “Suspects led troops to recover the corpse of the murdered motorcyclist. ON November 4, 2023, troops arrested Abdullahi Abubakar at Rimin Zayam village in Toro LGA of Bauchi State in connection with the killing of one Mobile Policeman on November 2, 2023 at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA.
