Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) during operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV, spanning from August 28th to September 4th, 2023 made significant strides in curbing criminal activities. They apprehended 54 individuals involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, farm destruction, armed robbery, gunrunning, and illicit drug trafficking.
In an official statement by Captain Oya James, the Media Information Officer of Operation SAFE HAVEN, it was reported that the combined efforts of the troops, the Nigeria Police, and local hunters led to the neutralization of 5 suspected kidnappers in Tahuwa community. This operation resulted in the recovery of 3 AK 47 rifles, one SMG rifle, and 105 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Captain James further detailed that OPSH conducted a successful sting operation across Plateau and Kaduna States, leading to the arrest of 3 kidnappers. Additionally, a suspected bandit named Dauda Tahiru was apprehended in connection with a previous attack in Heipang village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In response to actionable intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested a notorious gunrunner named Da Nyam, along with an accomplice, in the Kwang/Kafanchan communities of Jos South and Jama’a Local Government Areas in Plateau and Kaduna States. During this operation, they recovered one AK 47 rifle, 55 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one DICON graded AK 47 rifle with registration number 563706042, and one magazine. These suspects are currently undergoing interrogation.
Troops also conducted clearance operations at Alaghom village/Maijuju forest, Anguware hills, and Fofur general areas in Mangu Local Government Area, leading to the recovery of a motorcycle and one AK 47 rifle loaded with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. OPSH handed over suspects and a truckload of vandalized railway slippers to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plateau State Command for further action.
In response to a distress call, troops thwarted a criminal attack in Rokwat and Mararaban Kantoma villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and contained a reprisal attack in Ruga Fulani at Danhausa village. Moreover, they successfully rescued kidnapped victims, including Alhaji Buba Musa, Friday Luka, Joy Sunday, Marachi Chimeze, and a pregnant woman in Munguna/Kuba/Kagoro/Igai villages in Plateau and Kaduna States.
In another operation, troops apprehended Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed for car theft at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Additionally, they recovered 11 empty cases and rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition while responding to a kidnapping incident at Angware village in Jos East, Plateau State.
Captain Oya James highlighted that the troops also arrested two herders, Musa Mamuda and Musa Alhaji, for farm destruction at Yagbak village in Zango Kataf. Furthermore, they recovered 27 cows that had been grazing on farmland at Bot village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a significant anti-drug operation, 41 drug dealers were apprehended at Congo Russia in Jos North and are currently in custody for further action by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In total, the operation resulted in 54 arrests, the neutralization of 6 kidnappers, the rescue of 7 kidnapping victims, the arrest of 2 gunrunners, and the prevention of 2 attacks on vulnerable communities. Troops also responded promptly to 13 distress calls.
Major General AE Abubakar, the Commander of OPSH, expressed gratitude to the residents of Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna for their cooperation and urged citizens to continue providing actionable information to assist the dedicated troops in eliminating criminal elements from their communities.
