Multiple Raids conducted by troops of Operation Safe Haven have led to the arrest of 17 murder, kidnapping, and robbery suspects in Plateau State.
According to a statement signed by Captain Oya James, Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven on Monday, “the troops arrested five murder suspects for killing one Mr. Joshua Deme on his farm at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State”.
The statement reads, “Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV from August 21 to August 28, 2023, have arrested 17 criminal suspects in connection with murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery, as well as recovered arms, ammunition, and illicit drugs.
“The troops arrested five murder suspects for killing one Mr. Joshua Deme on his farm at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Troops also carried out a sting operation at Jagindi Tasha village in Jema’a LGA, Kaduna State, where a suspected kidnapper, Mr. Baba Yusuf Habu, who has been on the wanted list of OPSH, was arrested. Another kidnapping incident was foiled at Angwan Takai village in Bokkos LGA following the prompt response to a distress call by the troops.
“In a similar development, troops raided the hideout of criminals at Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States and recovered 1 pistol, cartridges, and rounds of 7.62mm special.
“A notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, was also arrested in Kafanchan town by troops, and two fabricated rifles and one pistol were recovered.
“In the same vein, troops intercepted a truck with registration number EKY617XF conveying vandalised railway tracks along the road to Gidan Ado village in Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
“Also, a drug kingpin, Maxwell Dusu Davou, was nabbed during a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye Foundation Du in Jos South LGA.
“Furthermore, a fighting patrol made contact around the Alaghom and Mangu axis, leading to the neutralisation of some bandits. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and another fabricated rifle.
“Additionally, troops arrested over 237 cows within the period for farm destruction and cattle rustling activities, especially within the Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Fas, and Riyom axes.” A total of 17 arrests were made, 9 victims were rescued from kidnappers, 6 armed robbery attempts were foiled, and 4 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred within the period.
“OPSH assures the good people of Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna of maximum protection and continued prompt responses to all distress calls, intending to rid all criminal elements operating within these communities”.
