The troops of Safe Haven have arrested 39 suspected bandits, kidnappers and armed robbers in a joint operation in Plateau state.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of Operation Safe Haven and 3 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility.
It said two of the suspects have been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robbery and kidnapping activities.
The statement reads: “Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Operations HAKORIN DAMISA IV from 14 to 21 August 2023 have arrested 39 criminal suspects in connection with banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as well as recovered arms/ammunition and hard drugs.”
During the operation, the troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one pump-action magnum gun, one AK 47 Magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special and an itel mobile phone from the suspects.
It added that a suspected kidnapper and arms dealer was also captured at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.
The statement noted: “Similarly, troops arrested 2 militia gang members identified to be among those who attacked Heipang general area recently and recovered 2 x AK 47 rifles, 7 fabricated rifles and 4 pump action cartridges during the operations.
“A drug syndicate operating in Bassa LGA was also nabbed during a sting operations and 7 drug peddlers arrested with a large cache of drugs.
“Additionally, troops arrested a total of 307 cows for grazing on farmlands belonging to locals at Kubat Community and Mabel village of Mangu and Bokkos LGAs respectively.”
The statement stressed that a total of 37 distress calls were prompted responded to by OPSH within the period leading to the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims, foiling of cattle rustling and repelling of attacks on vulnerable communities especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs.