By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV from 16 to 22 October 2023, neutralised suspected bandits and arrested 73 suspects in connection with kidnapping, criminal attacks, cattle rustling, gunrunning, farm destruction as well as recovered arms/ammunitions and illicit drugs.
According to the statement released by the Nigerian Army via its official X account @NigerianArmy, on Monday, it said that 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 a farmland at Binkwaghas Village, panyam district of Mangu LGA. Also 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.
Additionally, 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 harboring criminals and in possession of 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 theft at Gol village in Bokkos LGA.
Again, 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, oneAK 47 rifle was recovered.
In addition, 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 own 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 ongoing to apprehend the suspect for prosecution.
Similarly, on 20 October 2023, troops arrested 3 suspects for car theft along Bauchi- Jos expressway and handed them over to the Nigerian Police for prosecution. Also, one Abdullahi Ibrahim was arrested for motorcycle theft at Gidan Waya in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna on 21 October 2023.
