In a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted over the past week, troops of the 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have successfully arrested notorious gunrunners, bandits, and arms couriers, while recovering significant quantities of arms and ammunition in Plateau and Kaduna States.
On June 21, 2024, the troops launched an operation aimed at flushing out armed militias and criminals from a suspected bandit hideout in the Pandam forest, Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 AK-47 magazines, and 75 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
In a separate operation on the same day, conducted in collaboration with a sister security agency, troops tracked and arrested a notorious gunrunner along the Riyom-Abuja Road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The suspect was apprehended while attempting to supply 35 AK-47 magazines to another gunrunner, who had already been arrested in Kano State on June 20, 2024.
Information obtained from the suspect led to the immediate arrest of a major arms supplier in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The supplier was in the process of receiving the 35 AK-47 magazines for delivery to bandits in Zamfara State.
A subsequent search of the supplier’s home yielded 35 AK-47 magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 3 Bajaj motorcycles, 3 mobile phones, and items suspected to be local charms.
Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN, expressed gratitude to the general public for providing credible information that contributed to these successful operations.
He urged Nigerians to continue cooperating with security agencies to ensure a crime-free environment.
Recall that the operatives of the FCT Police Command recently executed a successful operation, storming a kidnappers’ den nestled within the dense foliage of Jibi forest adjacent to Dei-dei Abuja.
The operation saw law enforcement officers descend upon the criminal hideout with precision and determination.
The swift action by the police came on the heels of actionable intelligence indicating that notorious criminals, identified as Mallam Danyaboi and Ilu, who were known associates of Nasiru Mohammed, alias “Danger,” had orchestrated plans for a retaliatory kidnapping spree in Zuba and its vicinity.