Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with an intelligence agency, have arrested two notorious gunrunners during a series of intelligence-led operations in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the operation began with the arrest of a suspected gunrunner and kidnapper, Mr. Yahaya Adamu, on May 10, 2025, in Barakin Gangare, Barkin Ladi LGA.
A follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of May 11 at Marit Mazat in the same LGA led to the arrest of another suspect, Mr. Saeedu Haruna. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and an itel mobile phone during the raid.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects are members of a criminal syndicate responsible for various crimes in Gashish and Kurra Falls (Plateau State), as well as Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
The suspects are currently in custody and have reportedly begun making useful confessions. Security forces are continuing efforts to track down other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Operation SAFE HAVEN commended members of the public for their cooperation in exposing criminal hideouts and urged residents to continue providing credible information to aid the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the Joint Operations Area.
