Troops of Operation Safe Haven have neutralised a bandit, arrested kidnappers and rescued many kidnap victims, between October 9 to 16, in Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi states.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its X account on Tuesday.
The statement disclosed that the troops engaged in an operation dubbed ‘HAKORIN DAMISA IV’.
“The troops neutralised a suspected bandit named Saidu AKA Director, who attempted to escape after being arrested in possession of 39 rounds of 7.62mm special, mobile phone, headset and some money,” the statement said.
It stressed that the troops also engaged bandits in a gun duel around Jimlari village, rescuing two kidnapped civilians, Musa Alhaji Bello and Dauda.
The statement said further that troops arrested a notorious kidnapper, Madu Abubakar, who was linked to the recent kidnapping of a Union Bank accountant.
The troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mamu Dauda and Mohammed Zakari, who have been on the wanted list of OPSH.
The statement added that the troops foiled an attempted attack by suspected militants on Bisichi village, and also arrested a suspected gunrunner, Mohammed Kabiru, recovering one pistol and three cartridges.
Also the troops, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police and hunters, rescued 11 female farmers kidnapped while working on their farmlands at Riruwa village in Toro Local Govereny Area.
Operation Safe Haven equally secured the conviction of five suspects identified as Hamisu Gyang, Pam Ibrahim, Mafeng Gwott, Ibrahim Mohammed and Abdullahi Abubakar, who were charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, theft, and culpable homicide.
The statement also revealed that two suspected drug peddlers, Joseph Isaac and Henry Pam, were arrested with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs.
The troops intercepted a truck loaded with railway materials suspected to have been vandalised and arrested two suspects who were occupants of the truck.
The statement pointed out that seven attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred, and 15 distress calls were promptly responded to by OPSH troops.
The Commander of OPSH, Major General AE Abubakar, appreciated the timely sharing of information by the local communities, which has been instrumental in the operation’s success.
Abubakar explained that Operation Safe Haven would continue to decisively dealing with criminal elements and bring them to justice as investigations proceed.
