From Christiana Gokyo Jos
The troops of 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have reported significant success in their ongoing offensive operations in the borders between Plateau and Taraba States, leading to the recovery of 18 kidnapped victims over the past two months.
Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, briefed newsmen at the OPSH Headquarters in Jos on Thursday, stating that the operations are part of a broader effort to secure lives and property across the region.
The 18 kidnapped victims were recovered from areas between the Plateau and Taraba borders, specifically around Bangalala and Kinishi Forests, which span across Wase and Jarim Lamido Local Government Areas.
Following their rescue, the victims have been reunited with their families after undergoing profiling and documentation by relevant agencies.
In addition to the rescues, Major Zhakom reported the recent successful arrests of bandits involved in various criminal activities. On December 23, 2024, troops of Sector 5 OPSH under Operation Golden Peace apprehended five bandits at a hideout in Tarangol, Bokkos Local Government Area. Items recovered included three fabricated rifles, two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four cartridges, and two daggers.
Two days later, on December 25, 2024, another five bandits were intercepted at Jannaret in Mangu Local Government Area while attempting to cause disruption. One fabricated rifle and four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were seized, with the suspects in custody providing useful confessions.
The momentum continued through December with two notable arrests on December 27 and 28, 2024. Troops apprehended Musa Abubakar, also known as Haburuwa, a notorious kidnap kingpin, at Jebbu Village in Bassa Local Government Area, as well as Mosaje, a coordinator of a criminal syndicate responsible for supplying weapons, at Dengi in Kanam Local Government Area.
In the new year, on January 1, 2025, troops arrested a member of a gunrunning syndicate in Bokkos, recovering two fabricated pistols, three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and other firearms.
The same day, two other gunrunners were caught at a checkpoint in Angwan Rimi, Kafanchan, in Jama’a Local Government Area, with one pistol, one round of 7.62mm ammunition, and a jackknife.
In another foiled kidnapping attempt on January 1, 2025, four suspects were arrested in Angwan Nungu village, Sanga Local Government Area, with one locally made gun recovered.
The following day, on January 4, 2025, troops set an ambush at the hideout of a kidnapper collaborator, posing as a POS operator in Bokkos Local Government Area. During the operation, the collaborators attempted to flee after collecting ransom money from a victim but were apprehended.
A teenager, who had been used as an errand boy by the kidnappers, was also rescued with a cash sum of 200,000 Naira recovered.
Major Zhakom reaffirmed that the military will continue its operations in the region to dismantle criminal networks and ensure the safety of citizens, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.