Military Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) executed Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV, spanning from October 16th to 22nd, 2023, resulting in the neutralization of suspected bandits and the apprehension of 73 individuals connected to various criminal activities, including kidnapping, criminal assaults, cattle theft, gunrunning, farm destruction, while also facilitating the recovery of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.
Captain Oya James, the Media Officer of Operation Safe Haven, entrusted with the task of maintaining peace across Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, issued a press statement on Tuesday in Jos.
Within the week, the operation yielded significant outcomes, including the elimination of 4 bandits, the arrest of 73 suspects in possession of arms and ammunition, the apprehension of 37 individuals suspected of involvement in kidnappings, the successful rescue of 4 victims from kidnappers, the capture of 2 cattle rustlers, the arrest of 4 suspects engaged in illicit drug peddling, the prevention of 5 attacks on vulnerable communities, and the prompt response to 28 distress calls.
The Military acknowledges the positive contributions of the citizenry in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Bauchi States for the enhanced synergy over time to rid the entire area of miscreants. All suspects in custody would be charged to court immediately after investigations are concluded.
According to Operation Safe Haven on 18 October 2023 troops of Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV arrested 16 suspects in connection with the murder of two women, Victoria Wetsan and Nagung Sale while working on farmland at Binkwaghas Village, pranayam district of Mangu LGA.
The Statement added that on 19 October 2023, troops arrested 2 suspects, Mohammed Yusuf and Aliyu Adamu in connection with the isolated killing of one Yahaya Adamu at Kibul forest in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
Adding that troops on 19 October 2023, arrested 4 suspects, Anass Abdullahi, Abdulmalik Abdullahi, Aliyu and Nuhu Mohammed for attacking Mr Irimiya Nuhu and Arron Anthony along Gwom-Kwok village in Barkin Ladi LGA. Furthermore, on 21 October 2023, troops of Sector 6 arrested one Yusuf Idris at Polewire general area in Riyom LGA, for attempted murder.
“Likewise on 16 October 2023, troops arrested 4 suspects, Mr Philip Kwam, Juak Anyuwu, Daniel Benjamin and Ezekiel Samuel for harbouring criminals and possessing illicit hard drugs following a raid operation in the criminals’ hideout.
“On 20 October 2023, troops in conjunction with Vigilante Group of Nigeria arrested one Bukam Daniel in connection with a theft at Gol village in Bokkos LGA. Furthermore, following credible information, troops laid an ambush for suspected bandits in Bura village, Ningi LGA and neutralised one bandit while others fled with gunshot wounds. In the process, one AK 47 rifle was recovered.
“On 17 October 2023, troops of OPSH arrested 4 suspected kidnappers, Mallam Sale, Dibbo Abubakar, Umaru Abdullahi and Jabbo Adamu at Yamini and Kuka villages in Shendam LGA of Plateau State. Preliminary investigation linked the suspects with the recent kidnapping of one Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi.
“Similarly on 18 October 2023, troops conducted a sting operation at Yelwa bomb village in Jos North and arrested 9 suspected kidnappers namely Abdullahi Yahuza, Dante Chuwang, Abdullahi Haruna, Haruna Dauda, Nura Abubakar, Mohammed Abdusalam, Adam Aliyu and Mahmoud Labiru, who have been terrorizing Jos North and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State.
“Further investigations led to the recovery of a Toyota Picnic vehicle with registration number KTU 48 GU used for their operations and the recovery of an AK 47 rifle concealed in a bush.
“In the same vein, on 19 October 2023, troops raided hideouts of suspected kidnappers at Horop, Kawel, Mushere villages and Moonshine Hotel in Bokkos LGA and arrested 21 suspects currently in their custody for investigation. Also, on 20 October 2023, a notorious kidnapper, Mallam Mamman on the wanted list of security agencies abandoned his Ford Galaxy vehicle with registration number PKN-693XA during a stop and search operation at Bisichi checkpoint, Barkin Ladi LGA and escaped.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect for prosecution. Also, on 20 October 2023, troops arrested 3 suspects for car theft along the Bauchi- Jo’s expressway and handed them over to the Nigerian Police for prosecution. Similarly, one Abdullahi Ibrahim was arrested for motorcycle theft at Gidan Waya in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna on 21 October 2023.
“Additionally, on 17 October 2023, troops responded to kidnapping activities along Dangwa- Jagindi road in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. Troops’ timely response forced the criminals to abandon the mission and flee. However, own troops searched surrounding bushes and rescued 2 kidnapped victims, Abdulrazak Hassan and Mrs Salmatu Nuhu earlier kidnapped while in transit.
“On the same day, troops on fighting patrol around Sara high-ground bordering Plateau and Bauchi States rescued a kidnapped victim, Mallam Usman Saleh, who was abducted at Kayarda village in Mangu LGA.
“The victim has since been reunited with his family. Furthermore, on 20 October 2023, troops neutralised one bandit and rescued one kidnapped civilian, Mallam Dahiru Yahaya during a gun duel between own troops and bandits at Ruwan Dinya village.
“Based on credible information, troops on 19 October 2023 carried out raid operations at Rhunji village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State and arrested 2 suspects, David Zakari and Victor Bamiyi with 2 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special and 8 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.
“On 16 October 2023, troops of Sector 6 OPSH arrested 2 suspected cattle rustlers, Aminu Abdullahi and Yusuf Ibrahim at Rim village in Riyom LGA while on 17 October 2023, troops recovered 31 cows and 10 sheep at a high ground at Matla village in Bokkos.
“The livestock were earlier rustled by unidentified criminals at Mangun village in Mangu LGA. Similarly, troops also recovered 24 cows at Kombul general area in Mangu LGA rustled by unknown miscreants on 18 October 2023.
However, on 18 October 2023, the troops apprehended 176 cows and arrested a herder for farm destruction at Riyan village in Riyom LGA and Barkin Ladi towns respectively. Similarly, on 19 October 2023, troops apprehended 17 cows for destroying farmlands in Jos North LGA.
