From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
An operative of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Christopher Luka Agwom, was killed during a raid on suspected gunrunners’ hideouts in the Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State. Seven suspects were arrested, and a variety of arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation, which took place between 10th and 16th July 2024.
OPSH Media Officer, Major Aliyu Danja, informed journalists in Fan on Wednesday that Agwom was killed in the early hours of 10th July 2024 during a raid on a suspected gunrunners’ hideout in Sangasa Village.
He explained that a follow-up operation, conducted jointly with operatives from the 3 Armoured Division in Rukuba, Jos, aimed to recover illegal arms and ammunition. During the operation, troops raided Ratas, Ratoso, and Sangasa villages, all within Fan District.
The recovered items included six AK-47 rifles, 20 fabricated AK-47 rifles, 15 Dane guns, five AK-47 magazines, one AK-47 drum magazine with a capacity of 75 rounds, 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two cartridges, two bottles of gunpowder, seven motorcycles, one complete set of military woodland camouflage, one pair of military combat boots, and two spears.
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Danja declared four individuals wanted in connection with the incident: Timothy Zakka Dung (also known as Timaya), Sam P, Dachun Job, and Yakubu Ishaku. He urged anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the nearest security outpost.
“The large number of arms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons recovered, along with military uniforms, from Fan District in just one week confirms that the district is a criminal enclave,” Danja stated. “False propaganda from criminals and other misguided individuals is simply an attempt to divert attention from the significant cache of weapons in the hands of unauthorised persons in the district.”
He reiterated the army’s commitment to ridding the Joint Operations Area of illegal arms and ammunition in line with its mandate.
Danja described the late Agwom, a Jarawa from Risek Community in Jos East Local Government Area, as a hardworking and dependable officer who rose through the ranks to become the Administrative Officer of Sector 4, Operation SAFE HAVEN.
“His dedication and commitment to duty were exemplary,” Danja said. “The officer’s death has left a void, not only for his young widow and three children but also for the entire 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven.”
Agwom was laid to rest in his hometown of Risek on 16th July 2024.