From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV have arrested 19 suspects in connection with criminal activities in the state .
The suspects were said to have committed crimes ranging from kidnapping, attacks, cattle rustling, armed robbery, farm destruction. The Troops also , recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.
The operations, which were carried from October 29 to November 5, 2023, also saw some bandits being neutralised in the process.
OPSH Media Officer, Capt. Oya James, said that of the 19 suspects, three were arrested for kidnapping, four for murder, four arrested in connection with attacks on villages, and two for illicit drug peddling while four bandits were neutralised.
He said that four victims were rescued from kidnappers, while 6 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and 13 distress calls responded to.
According to him, “On October, 29,2023, based on credible information, troops arrested two suspected drug dealers: Mr Obinna Nwafor, and Fatai Lawal, at Kujiya Market Bukuru in Jos South LGA, Plateau State. During the arrest, troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle. The 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 snatchers, Samaila Nasiru, Bashir Sani,at Riyom General Area, Plateau State.
“In the same vain, on November 3, 2023, troops arrested Mr Suleimanu Audu at Gidan Auta village in connection with the kidnapping and raping of two victims on September 24,2023.
“Additionally, on November 3, 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. Similarly, troops 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, of the state.
“The suspects, were arrested at Fang village in Riyom LGA on October 30. The suspects led troops to recover the corpse of the murdered motorcyclist. On November 4, troops arrested Mr Abdullahi Abubakar Lawyer, at Rimin Zayam village in Toro LGA of Bauchi State in connection with the killing of own Mobile Police personnel on November 2,2023 at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA.The suspect equally admitted to being involved in kidnapping activities and other sundry crimes with other gang members. Based on his confessional statement, on November 5,2023, troops conducted raid operations at Kambal and Hurti villages in Bokkos LGA and arrested Yakubu Saidu and Nasiru Mohammed in connection with the crime. Items recovered included :233 rounds of 7.62mm special, one Techno mobile phone, one Itel mobile phone and one motorcycle.
“On 30 October 2023, troops rescued one Ms Abigail Felix earlier kidnapped on 28 October 2023, at Angwan Malam village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. The victim has since been reunited with her family. Also, on November 1, 2023, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force rescued two kidnapped victims at Zobolo general area in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.
“Similarly, on November 4 ,2023, following the kidnap of Reverend Father Andrew Anana in his residence at Saint Francis Catholic Church,Godo Godo district in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State, troops conducted a search operation and rescued the victim unhurt. Two suspects in connection with the kidnap, Isia Etopia and Musa Opisa, confessed to the crime.
“On October 30 , 2023, troops of Sector 7 OPSH arrested Alhaji Ya’u Baba,for deliberate destruction of farmlands at Jagindi Tasha village in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. Also, on November 2, 2023, troops arrested two suspects, Edward Dauda and Pam John, for attack on a herd of cattle leading to the killing of a cow at Sot Gyel community in Jos South LGA. Additionally, on November 2, 2023, troops apprehended 50 cows for grazing on farmlands at Kwi village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
“Furthermore, on November 4, 2023, troops recovered five cows earlier rustled at Shemlang village in Mangu LGA. The said cows were recovered at Sabon-Gari general area of Mangu LGA.
“On November 1,2023, troops neutralised two bandits at Dutse village in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. Similarly, on November 2,2023, two terrorists, Buwa Tafawa and Gyang Yusuf, were neutralized around Tafawa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Also, on 3 November 2023, troops in conjunction with vigilante members foiled an attempted attack on Kuba village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State by unidentified gunmen, and neutralised one of the attackers in the process, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
He added that within the week, Operation Safe Haven secured the conviction of two suspects, Mr Azi Ashom Abubakar,aka Danladi Irimiya and John Itse,who were charged with unlawful possession of firearms. The suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine.