Troops from Operation SAFE HAVEN have reported neutralizing bandits and recovering arms and ammunition in operations conducted in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Bauchi states.
This announcement was made in a statement released by the Nigerian Army via its official X account on Tuesday.
During the “HAKORIN DAMISA IV” operation conducted from October 9 to 16, the troops also succeeded in neutralizing armed robbers, arresting numerous suspects, and securing convictions for several criminals in the regions.
Throughout the operation, troops played a pivotal role in thwarting attacks, rescuing kidnapped individuals, and apprehending suspects involved in various criminal activities.
One notable achievement was the neutralization of a suspected bandit known as Saidu, also called Director, who attempted to escape after being arrested in possession of 39 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a mobile phone, a headset, and some money.
Troops also engaged bandits in a gunfight around Jimlari village, resulting in the rescue of two kidnapped civilians, Musa Alhaji Bello and Dauda.
In the quest to apprehend notorious kidnappers, acting on credible information, troops successfully arrested Madu Abubakar, who was linked to the recent kidnapping of a Union Bank accountant.
The OPSH tactical team also arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mamu Dauda and Mohammed Zakari, who had been on the wanted list of Operation SAFE HAVEN.
In the prevention of attacks and recovery of stolen goods, troops thwarted a suspected militia’s attempted attack on Bisichi village. Additionally, they arrested a suspected gunrunner, Mohammed Kabiru, and recovered one pistol and three cartridges.
In a remarkable operation, troops, alongside the Nigeria Police and local hunters, rescued 11 female farmers who had been kidnapped while working on their farmlands at Riruwa village in Toro Local Government Area.
Operation SAFE HAVEN secured the conviction of five suspects—Hamisu Gyang, Pam Ibrahim, Mafeng Gwott, Ibrahim Mohammed, and Abdullahi Abubakar. They were charged with offenses including criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, theft, and culpable homicide.
Further operations led to the arrest of drug peddlers, with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs. Troops also intercepted a truck loaded with railway materials suspected to have been vandalized and arrested two suspects occupying the truck.
Throughout the reporting period, OPSH troops successfully deterred seven attacks on vulnerable communities and responded promptly to 15 distress calls. The Commander of OPSH, Major General AE Abubakar, expressed his appreciation for the local communities’ timely sharing of information, which significantly contributed to the operation’s success.
General Abubakar emphasized OPSH’s commitment to addressing security threats in the region, pledging to continue targeting criminal elements and bringing them to justice as investigations proceed.
