In a series of coordinated operations spanning from September 25th to October 4th, 2023, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have achieved significant success in the fight against crime in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State. The operations led to the arrest of 91 criminal suspects, the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the securing of convictions of some suspects.

The notorious kidnappers Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman, who had been on the wanted list of OPSH, were apprehended at Mista Ali village in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. During interrogation, they confessed to their involvement in the July 2023 kidnapping of seven students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS). Among the items recovered from the suspects was an AK-47 rifle loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Troops acting on credible information also arrested Mr. Goma Abubakar and Jibril Abass in connection with the attack on Takania village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, where six individuals were brutally murdered. Additionally, two notorious armed robbers and kidnappers, Nasiru Ahmed and Isah Mamuda, were captured at Kok village in Barkin Ladi LGA, while a robbery syndicate led by Mr. Shaibu Abubakar was apprehended at NTV village in Barkin Ladi LGA. Various weapons and tools were recovered from these suspects.

Furthermore, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Yakubu, at Amper checkpoint in Kanam LGA of Plateau State, where they were attempting to collect ransom. Items confiscated from them included a cutlass, a knife, two mobile phones, and local charms.

In other operations, troops arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ori, at Gwandu village in Bokkos LGA, recovering multiple rifles and ammunition. They also foiled a cattle rustling incident at Maiyanga village in Bassa LGA, rescuing 145 cows and returning them to their owners. Troops detained 57 cows for grazing on farmlands at Rim village in Riyom LGA. Additionally, the troops thwarted a kidnapping attempt on Hon Magai Peter in Ruku village and rescued two kidnapped victims, Miss Silva Hassan and Salvation Obadiah, in Kaura village.

Elsewhere, troops rescued a man named Bukar Kaigama from kidnappers in Nimba forest in Riyom LGA. They also intercepted a truck carrying 720 bags of Urea fertilizer with fake clearance documents, arresting four individuals in the process.

In separate incidents, troops arrested a suspected cultist, Mafeng Gwott, and recovered a loaded pistol in Legislative quarters, Jos North LGA. Another suspected motorcycle snatcher was rescued from a mob at Gyero junction in Jos South LGA and handed over to the Nigeria Police. Additionally, two herders were arrested for willfully destroying farmland at Gyero general area, and a missing herder, Sani Mahmuda, was found in Kwonga village.

Based on a tip-off, troops conducted a cordon and search operation in a criminal hideout at Zango Urban area of Unguwan Fulani Baya Dutse in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, resulting in the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

In the same week, OPSH secured the conviction of four suspects: Kabiru Lawal, Sadiq Mohammed Dahiru, Umar Yusuf, and Dauda Elkanah, for criminal conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property. Each suspect was sentenced to 1 year 6 months imprisonment with an option of a fine. Furthermore, troops arrested a suspect with cannabis sativa in Miango, Bassa LGA, and apprehended 67 individuals in connection to violent activities around Bolari village, recovering seven locally fabricated rifles and other valuable items.

Overall, the operations resulted in a total of 91 arrests, the capture of seven suspected kidnappers, six suspected armed robbers, and two cattle rustlers, as well as the rescue of four victims from kidnappers. Troops successfully thwarted five attacks on vulnerable communities and prevented two kidnapping attempts, responding promptly to 24 distress calls.

The Commander of OPSH, Major General AE Abubakar, expressed his gratitude to the people of Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna for their cooperation and urged citizens to continue providing actionable information to the troops. He assured the public that arrested suspects would be promptly charged to court once investigations were concluded.