By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, and the Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), in Plateau State, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, inherited criminality such as theft, cattle rustling, attacks and armed robbery upon assuming office over a year ago.
Moving to stem the tide, the GOC employed strategies which included curbing of small and light weapons being tools used in perpetrating heinous crimes.
Apart from stakeholders meetings held among warring communities, proliferation of small and light weapons remains a challenge in the hands of youths who at every given opportunity unleashes terror to their victims.
Mangu, Riyom, Barkin-Ladi, Bassa, and some parts of Southern Kaduna are usually prone to attacks as a result of weapons in the hands of “never do wells” residing in these areas.
Narrowing down in dealing with the issues, Gen. Abubakar instructs troops to go after gunrunners, a move that has yielded a desired result of mopping of arms in the hand of criminals, resulting in the peace Plateau and its environs are enjoying today.
The success stories have recorded the arrests of notorious gunrunners twice in a week.
The recent arrests according to the Military Task Force, were made based on intelligence driven operations.
According to the Spokesman for the Operation, Major Stephen Zhakom said the feat is in pursuance of one of its core mandate of mopping up illegal arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area.
He said the troops raided the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani at Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni, along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, during which the suspected gunman and four others were arrested.
“Some of the weapons and ammunition recovered during the operations include two AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle, 14 AK-47 magazines, and one Fabrique Nationale magazine.
“Other recovered items are 5,316 rounds of 7.62 MM (Special), 98 rounds of 7.62 MM (NATO), and 43 rounds of 9 MM”, he said.
Also, just in less than 72 hours, another syndicate of arms trafficking was arrested.
A recent statement from the OPSH revealed that arm dealers were arrested when they were finalizing a deal for the sale of the weapons valued at N5 million.
“2 notorious gunrunners identified as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict were apprehended with Two AK-47 Rifles, one Automatic Pistol, Two AK-47 magazines, and one Baretta Pistol Magazine”, the statement had said.
Difficult Terrain:
However, the OPSH is faced with some challenges such as access to some of the localities affected by the crisis.
Investigation indicated that the OPSH is faced with challenges of terrain, logistics and manpower.
In some of its statements it has said terrain has always been one of its major challenges in pursuing suspects.
“At times our men even use motorbikes to pursue the suspects”.
Other Strategies Used:
One of the methods used by the OPSH in winning the hearts and minds of the people during Peace support operations or internal security operations is Civil- Military Relations.
The OPSH under the command of Gen. Abubakar has given serious attention to civil military cooperation initiatives.
In more than one year, the OPSH has rendered medical assistance, educational support, boreholes and other basic needs to communities within its area of operations.
Widows and orphans are also not left untouched by the kind gesture of the GOC, our correspondent reports.
