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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
An operative of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Christopher Luka Agwom, was killed and seven suspects arrested when operatives of the internal security outfit raided gunrunners’ hideouts in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operatives also recovered various calibres of arms and ammunition in the operation, which was conducted between July 10 to 16.
Media Officer of OPSH, Maj. Aliyu Danja, told newsmen in Fann, yesterday, that Agwom was killed during the operation conducted in the gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa village in Fann District in the early hours of July 10, 2024. He said a mop up operation, which was conducted in conjunction with operatives from the 3 Armoured Division Rukuba Jos, was to recover illegal arms and ammunition from the hands of unauthorised persons.
The media officer said following the incident, troops conducted a follow-up operation in Ratas, Ratoso and Sangasa Villages all in Fann district and recovered six AK-47 rifles, 20 fabricated AK-47 rifles, 15 dane guns, five AK-47 magazine, one AK-47 drum magazine having capacity of 75 rounds, 250 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, two cartridges, two bottles of gunpowder and seven motorcycles.
Danja said four people were declared wanted in connection with the incident. He gave their names as Mr Timothy Zakka Dung, also known as Timaya, Mr Sam P, Dachun Job and Yakubu Ishaku.
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He said: “During the operations that lasted for one week, the team arrested seven suspects and recovered both automatic and locally fabricated weapons as well as different calibres of ammunition from Ratas, Ratoso and Sangasa villages all in Fan District in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
“Also recovered were one complete pair of military woodland camouflage dress, one pair of military combat boots, and two spears. The huge recoveries of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons as well as military uniforms from Fann District, in just one week, further affirms that the district is a criminal enclave. Hence, the false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons are merely to divert attention from the large cache of weapons in the hands of unauthorised persons in the district.
“Also, as part of efforts to arrest criminals in Fann District and environs, the following people are, hereby, declared wanted by security agencies: Mr Timothy Zakka Dung also known as Timaya, Mr Sam P, Dachun Job and Yakubu Ishaku. Any person with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects should kindly contact the closest security outpost.”
Danja said the army will leave no stone unturned in its quest to mop up illegal arms and ammunition within the joint operations area, in line with its mandates. He described the late Agwom, a Jarawa by tribe, who hailed from the Risek community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, as very hardworking and reliable.
“He rose to become the Administrative Officer of Sector 4 Operation Safe Haven through his dedication and commitment to duty. The death of the officer has left a vacuum not only to the young widow and three children he left behind, but to the entire 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven”.
The late officer was laid to rest at Risek community in Jos East local government area of Plateau State on July 16.
