17 Arrested As Troops Foil Kidnap, Robbery Attempts In Kaduna, Plateau

No fewer than seventeen criminal suspects have been arrested during recent operations by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, Naija News learnt.

The latest victory against insurgence was confirmed in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Monday, August 28 by the Media Officer of the operation, Capt. James Oya.

According to Oya, the suspects were arrested over alleged murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal acts between Aug. 21 and Aug. 28 at various locations within its area of responsibility.

“Troops arrested five suspects for killing one Mr Joshua Deme in his farm at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

”We have also carried out a sting operation at Jagindi Tasha village, in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where a suspected kidnapper, Baba Habu, who has been on our wanted list, was arrested.

”We equally foiled a kidnap attempt at Angwan Takai village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, and this was possible upon prompt response by the troops to a distress call.

”In all, troops arrested 17 suspects, rescued nine kidnapped victims, foiled six armed robbery attempts and four attempted attacks on vulnerable communities within the period under review,” the statement reads.

Oya disclosed that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition from some of the suspects.

In another operation, the troops raided the hideout of criminals at Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf local government areas of Plateau and Kaduna and recovered one pistol and cartridges.

Oya said a notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, was also arrested in Kafanchan town by troops. Two fabricated rifles and one pistol were recovered from the suspect, Naija News understands.

“Troops also intercepted a truck with registration number EKY-617-XF conveying vandalised railway tracks along Gidan Ado village in Riyom.

”A drug kingpin, Maxwell Davou, was nabbed during a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye in Jos South.

”A fighting patrol made contact around Alaghom and Mangu axis leading to the neutralisation of some bandits and recovery of one AK-47 rifle and another fabricated rifle,” the statement noted.

Also, the troops ‘arrested’ 237 cows within the period for destroying crops on farms at Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas, the statement added.