Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Joint Operation Area (JOA) have neutralised two terrorists at Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The troops also apprehended 24 other suspected kidnappers during the conduct of several sting operations in JOA.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement issued Monday also revealed that five arrested criminal suspects were also charged to court for criminal conspiracy and possession of firearms at the Chief Magistrate Court Abattoir in Jos South LGA of Plateau State and sentenced to one year and sixx months imprisonment or an option of fine.
He said: “In a bid to continually get rid of criminal elements in Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Joint Operation Area(JOA) and Headquarters 3 Armoured Division Area of Responsibility, troops neutralised 2 terrorists at Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State and apprehended 24 other suspected kidnappers during the conduct of several sting operations in the JOA.
“The ever dogged troops of OPSH on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV within the period further arrested 43 criminal suspects in connection to murder, kidnapping, cattle rustling and drug peddling amongst others.”
Nwachukwu added that the raid operations were conducted to cattle rustlers, kidnappers and criminals hideouts at Rubum, Fasa, Faan, Fas and Gora and Angwa Mallam villages in Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Sanga LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States.
He added that 11 suspects were arrested, while four locally fabricated guns recovered and one Sati Gummut Jidauna was also arrested at Mushu village with one fabricated rifle, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and a sum of cash
Nwachukwu stressed that based on intelligence report, troops arrested 10 suspected cattle rustlers at Mai-Adiko market in Rayfield and Kara cattle market area of Jos metropolis.
He noted that the gallant troops also foiled a robbery operation and arrested four armed robbers in the process at Bokkos Community and New Layout village of Bokkos LGA, Plateau State.
He said: “Additionally, troops deployed at Riyom LGA recovered 49 cows grazing on a farmlands and arrested 3 suspects in connection to farm destructions at Jebu/Kwakwi, Karker and Gako villages while rescuing one Mr Adamu Hassimu trapped during an attack at Ruwi/Mushu Villages.
“Additionally, troops also arrested 2 herders, Haruna Dare and Jibrin Ali in connection with the killing of a farmer at Manyi Cupi village in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State.
“Suspects confessed to have committed the act and are currently undergoing prosecution. Also, 3 herders were arrested for assault on one Mrs Mwanet Sylvanus at Company Kurra Falls in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State and a kidnap mastermind, Ibrahim Suleiman Abba at Angwan Nungu village Sanga LGA of Kaduna State was arrested and handed over to Police Gwantu Division for further action.
“Furthermore, one Solomon Adams was arrested in connection to the killing of Abdullahi Adamu Lamo at Rasa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State and another suspect Husseini Yinusa was arrested for killing 2 locals at Angwa Ayaba village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
“Troops also arrested some suspects in connection with the murder of 4 persons at Angwa Pas village, Langai district Mangu LGA and foiled the kidnap of Alhaji Husini at Kasuwan Ali village in Mangu LGA. Additionally, troops while in wait foiled a planned attack on Mangu Hale village of Mangu LGA on 16 September 2033 and engaged the terrorists neutralising scores while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“One fabricated automatic rifle, rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 cutlass and other offensive items were recovered. Equally, based on intelligence report, troops raided a criminal hideout at Kariyo village in Jema’a LGA and arrested 7 suspected kidnappers with 3 of the suspects long on the wanted list of security agencies namely, Bawa Nabaki, Dawa Nabaki and Joro Yamu.
“Two kidnap victims, Reverend Father Emmanuel Okolo and Noah Monday were further rescued during an attempted kidnap incident at Fadan Kamantan village in Zango Kataf LGA. One Mr Nasiru Isa was also rescued from kidnappers at Jarawa Hill, Jankasa village Jos East of Plateau State. A suspected kidnapper, Habu Sale was further arrested at Unguwan Mal Musa village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.”
Nwachukwu further revealed that the troops arrested Malam Sadiq Aliyu while conveying vandalised railway slippers with an unregistered J5 Bus in Kubachi village Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State while another suspect, Paul Clement was arrested for motorcycle theft at Quess village in Barkin Ladi LGA.
He said troops further arrested 2 drug peddlers at Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA and another suspected drug peddler with some illicit drugs at Tahoss village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
“On the whole, a total of 43 arrests were effected, 24 suspected kidnappers arrested, 6 victims rescued from kidnappers, 3 murder suspects arrested and 3 drug peddlers nabbed while 5 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred within the period. Equally, a total of 83 distress calls were promptly responded to within the period,” Nwachukwu said.