From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The internal security outfit in Plateau state, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)1, said it has continued to make tremendous progress in nipping insecurity in Plateau and Kaduna states, with the arrest of 15 suspects in connection with sundry offences in the last seven days.These include kidnapping, murder, arms dealing, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, drug peddling, farm destruction, as well as recovered arms/ammunition and illicit drugs.
A statement signed by the Media Officer, Capt. Oya James, noted that troops of OPSH, on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV, on November 6, 2023, arrested Jerome Bulus Alamba and Denis Yohanna, at Fang village in Riyom LGA of Plateau, in connection with the murder of one Abdulkarim Saidu, on October 24, 2023.
He said in a similar incident, on November 7, 2023, troops of Sector 5 OPSH arrested one Alhaji Yakubu Shanono in Bokkos community, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, in connection with the killing of a mobile police personnel attached to OPSH.
“On the same day, troops apprehended 75 cows for farm destruction at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. On November 8, 2023, troops, in conjunction with the NDLEA, Pankshin Command, conducted raid operations to the hideout of illicit drug peddlers at Bargar village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. The troops arrested four suspects and handed them over to NDLEA for further action.
“Additionally, on November 9, 2023, troops of Operation Hakorin Damisa IV arrested two criminals, Haruna Yusuf and Zubairu Jibril, while trying to bypass troops’ checkpoint at Chanso village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. The criminals were arrested in possession of one rifle.
“On November 10, 2023, troops acting on credible information, arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Sani Suleiman, at Mista Ali village in Jos North LGA. On the same day, troops deployed at Zangon Kataf arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mr Anu Usman, at Kamaru village in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
“Similarly, troops recovered 144 cows rustled by unidentified gunmen during a gun duel with the miscreants at Sat village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. On November 11, 2023, troops of Sector 6 OPSH rescued two kidnap victims, Michael James and John D, at Angwan Buka village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. The rescued victims were kidnapped while on transit, along Hawan Kibo road in Riyom LGA, and have since been reunited with their families.
“On November 12, 2023, combined troops of OPSH and Department of State Services (DSS) arrested a notorious arms dealer, Bala Inusa, also known as Maigero, in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“The suspect, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies, was arrested with one AK-47 rifle, one Ak-47 magazine, one pistol, 417 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Toyota Starlet vehicle with plate number Adamawa – MUB – 779JB, and one Dual SIM Tecno phone. Furthermore, another gunrunner was arrested during a sting operation on November 12, 2023, at the Danmakasuwa Mariri axis of Southern Kaduna with one AK-47 rifle.
“Similarly, on November 12, 2023 troops of OPSH Special Force, while responding to a distress call at Dakanung village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, arrested one miscreant, Bala Yerima, and items recovered include: one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a red coloured Boxer motorcycle.
“In a related development, based on intelligence gathering, troops captured one Davou Barry of Gyel District at the Kara Market of Bukuru area of Jos South LGA, with 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition while trying to make an exchange.
The statement said within the week, Operation Safe Haven secured the conviction of two suspects, Zubairu Usman and Saminu Haruna, who were charged with criminal conspiracy and theft. The suspects, James said, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to two years imprisonment each with an option of fine.
“A total of 15 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes. Two were arrested for kidnapping, one for dealing in arms, two for murder, four for peddling illicit drugs and four for farm destruction. Two suspects were also convicted for criminal acts. Additionally, two kidnap victims were rescued, four attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and seven distress calls were promptly responded to,” the statement added.