Troops neutralize bandits, arrest 59 kidnapping, vandal, illegal mining suspects

Troops of Operation Save Haven, OPSH, working under code name  Operation Hakorin Damisa IV, have announced the neutralisation of bandits, armed robbers, and arrests of no fewer than 59 suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, railway vandalism, gunrunning, illegal mining, as well as recovered arms and ammunition and illicit drugs.

This was announced in a statement by the Force headquarters on Tuesday via its verified X handle.

According to the statement, the arrest of kidnappers and other successes by the troops were recorded as a result of the operations in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi states.

The statement reads, “Troops of Operation Safe Have (OPSH) on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV from October 9 to 16, 2023, neutralised bandits and armed robbers and arrested 59 suspects in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, railway vandalism, gunrunning, and illegal mining, as well as recovered arms, ammunition, and illicit drugs.

“On October 11, 2023, troops neutralized 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.

“Before the suspect was neutralized, he confessed to having bought the ammunition from one Usman in Bisichi.

“Troops mobilized 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.

“Similarly, on the same day, troops deployed at Qua’anpan Area Command neutralised one armed robber while others fled with bullet wounds during an armed robbery attack along Amingo-Lafia road in Qua’anpan local government area of Plateau State 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.

“On October 9, 2023, troops engaged bandits in a gun duel around Jimlari village while moving to Ardo Kola village.

“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.

“Troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers, Aliyu Usman and Umar Babuga, at Jagindi Tashe village in Jema’a LGA.

“Furthermore, troops conducted a raid operation at Mararaban Sabon Gida in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State and arrested a suspected kidnapper, Abdulkadir Rufai, who is a member of a criminal gang terrorising the Sanga general area.

“Also, on October 10, 2023, troops deployed at Dukku LGA arrested two suspects, Malam Malkudi Dothy and Malam Danladi Ibrahim, with one pistol and two motorcycles.

“In the same vein, troops on October 12, 2023, arrested a suspected gunrunner, Mohammed Kabiru, at Koko Ibi Lau LGA and recovered one pistol and three cartridges. Similarly, troops deployed at Mangu LGA arrested a suspect with a rifle, an AK-47 magazine, a plier, and a hammer.

“On October 12, 2023, troops while on patrol also arrested one Ayuba Sati at Jannaret in Mangu LGA of Plateau State with one AK 47 rifle, one empty AK 47 magazine, one motorcycle, one jerrycan, one techno mobile phone, and some money.

“On October 11, 2023, troops arrested one Azi Ashom Abubakar at the White House Hotel Haske Quarters in Jos East LGA. During the arrest, troops recovered one SMG, one locally fabricated pistol loaded with 8 rounds of 9mm, 17 cartridges, 3 empty cartridge cases, one fragmental jacket, 2 knives, one Gionee mobile phone, and some money.

“Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, and 7 rounds of 7.62mm special from a gun duel with bandits at Yelwa, Jalingo LGA. On October 13, 2023, troops arrested three suspects, Goma Abubakar, Mohammadu Zakari, Hussein Isa, and Isa Mohammed, for planning to attack villages in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.

“During the arrest, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, four pistols, and five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“Meanwhile, on October 14, 2023, troops foiled an attempted attack at Denche village in Jos East LGA.

“Troops engaged the miscreants and forced them to flee, abandoning two motorcycles. Similarly, troops arrested a suspect at Garin Yarima Gessol and recovered four AK-47 rifles and four magazines. Also on October 13, 2023, OPSH troops from Sector 7 raided criminals’ hideouts at the Gidan Waya general area in Jema’a LGA and arrested four suspects: Bala Awodi, Audu Bala, Ishaku Musa, and Murtala Ibrahim.

“Also, Ibrahim Muhammed was arrested at Mavo area, Jos North, for attempted murder and handed over to the Nigeria Police Angwan Rogo Division for further action.

“Additionally, on October 9, 2023, troops recovered 10 rustled cows at Bugal village bordering Mangu and Barkin LGAs. In the same vein, troops of Sector 6 arrested four suspected cattle rustlers, Zaka Alamba, Awilo Davou, Bulus Alamba, and Bulus Dachung Dongo, at Tahoss village in Riyom LGA.

“Furthermore, troops of Sector 5 recovered 80 rustled sheep abandoned by the criminals who fled after sighting troops stationed at Takai village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on October 14, 2023.” Another 69 cows were recovered for grazing on farmlands at Vodni village in Mangu LGA.

“Similarly, on October 11, 2023, troops of Sector 4 rescued Mr. Dung Gyang, who was abandoned inside water after he was attacked by unknown gunmen at Lokojoro village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

“Troops also averted farmer and herder clashes at Tashek village in Riyom LGA. In the same vein, troops foiled an attempt to kidnap Mr. Ibrahim Kyamyam at Saya village in Bassa LGA on October 13, 2023, after forcing the kidnappers to flee due to the superior firepower of troops.

“Also, on October 15, 2023, troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police and hunters, rescued 11 female farmers kidnapped while working on their farmlands at Riruwa village in Toro LGA.

“Based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected drug peddlers, Joseph Isaac and Henry Pam, with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs.

“Troops deployed at Sector 6 also arrested a suspected drug peddler, Yushau Usman, during a stop and search operation along Hawan Kibo Road in Riyom LGA.

“Also, on October 10, 2023, troops stationed at Manchok intercepted a truck loaded with railway materials suspected to have been vandalised from Kafanchan in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State and arrested two suspects who were occupants of the truck. Furthermore, on October 15, 2023, 31 illegal miners were arrested at the Forest Kara Market in Jos South LGA.

“Operation SAFE HAVEN between October 9 and 16, 2023, secured the conviction of five suspects named Hamisu Gyang, Pam Ibrahim, Mafeng Gwott, Ibrahim Mohammed, and Abdullahi Abubakar, charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, theft, and culpable homicide. The suspects were sentenced to six months of imprisonment each, with the option of a fine.

“Also, within the week, 2 armed robbers and bandits were neutralised, 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.

“The Commander OPSH, Major General AE Abubakar, appreciates the good people of Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Bauchi State for prompt dissemination of information, which has largely been responsible for the successes recorded so far.

“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. Troops remain poised to address any emerging security threats, while all arrested suspects in custody will be charged in court immediately after investigations are concluded.