The Media Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Captain Oya James, on Thursday, said the military task force on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV, arrested 91 suspected criminals in the last 10 days.
It also said the suspects arrested are for crimes ranging from kidnapping, farm destruction, drug peddling, and cattle rustling, among others.
Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), is a military task force responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau State and Southern Kaduna
James said, โTroops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV during several operations launched from 25 September to 4 October 2023 have arrested 91 criminal suspects in connection with the kidnapping of University of Jos Students, attack on Tanzania Village, farm destruction, armed robbery, drug peddling and cattle rustling amongst others.โ
According to him, โThe notorious kidnappers, Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman, who have been on the wanted list of OPSH, were arrested at Mista Ali village in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
โThe suspects, during interrogation, narrated that they were involved in the kidnapping of 7 students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in July 2023.
“items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special.โ
He added, โThe gallant troops acting on credible information also arrested Mr Goma Abubakar and Jibril Abass in connection to the attack on Takania village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State where six persons were murdered in cold blood.
โThe troops also arrested two notorious armed robbers/kidnappers, Nasiru Ahmed and Isah Mamuda, at Kok village in Barkin Ladi LGA while Manu Sale and Amir Shaba notorious robbery syndicates operating along road Barkin LadiโMangu in Barkin LGA, were also arrested alongside an armed robbery gang leader, Mr Shaibu Abubakar at NTV village in Barkin Ladi LGA.
“Similarly, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Yakubu, a.k.a Yellow, at Amper checkpoint in Kanam LGA of Plateau State while trying to collect kidnapping ransome.
โItems recovered from the suspects include one cutlass, knife, two mobile phones and local charms.โ
On cattle rustling, James said, โWhile on mobile operations, troops at Bokkos LGA arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ori, at Gwandu village in Bokkos LGA.
“The troops also foiled a cattle rustling incident at Maiyanga village in Bassa LGA rescued 145 cows, and handed them over to the owners.
โDuring the operation, troops recovered three rifles, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special, nine rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and three axes.
โAdditionally, 57 cows were detained for grazing on farmlands at Rim village in Riyom LGA.โ
Speaking further, โTroops thwarted an attempt to kidnap one Hon Magai Peter in his residence at Ruku village in Barkin Ladi LGA and another victim at Jeisey village.
โTroopsโ superior firepower during an encounter with the kidnappers forced them to abandon their mission and flee.
“Items recovered included two Bajaj Boxers motorcycles.
โTroops also rescued two kidnapped victims, Miss Silva Hassan and Salvation Obadiah, at Zangang Hill, Kaura village in Kaduna State.
โAlso, seven farmers were rescued at Jipun village, Pushit district of Mangu LGA from suspected militias while harvesting crops in their farms. However, one prime suspect, Ibrahim Isah, was arrested in connection with the incident. While at Nimba forest in Riyom LGA, one Bukar Kaigama was rescued from kidnappers by the troops.
โTroops also intercepted a truck carrying 720 bags of Urea fertilizer with fake clearance documents. Four occupants of the truck were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation.
โIn a similar development, troops also arrested a suspected cultist, Mafeng Gwott at Legislative quarters in Jos North LGA and recovered a pistol loaded with 9mm special ammunition.
โAdditionally, 67 persons were arrested in connection to violent activities around Bolari village and seven locally fabricated rifles were recoveredโ.
The Commander OPSH, Major General A.E Abubakar, commended residents of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna for the cooperation so far enjoyed and urged them to continually provide actionable information to troops as they work tenaciously to protect lives and property.
He assured residents that the arrested suspects would be charged in court immediately after investigations.
