Troops of ‘Operation Safe Haven’, a special task force, have apprehended six gunmen suspected to be bandits and seized weapons along with 47 rustled cows in Manguna, located in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the OPSH Commander, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, revealed this achievement during the Eid-el-Kabir luncheon held for the troops on Monday in Jos.
Abubakar, who also serves as the General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rukuba, near Jos, attributed the success to the intensified operations carried out by the personnel.
He stated, “As part of our resolve to completely eradicate banditry and criminal elements and ensure a successful farming season and security of lives and property, our intensified operations continue to yield results.”
He added, “This has led to the recovery of different calibres of arms and ammunition in different parts of Plateau.”
On June 10, OPSH’s tactical team conducted a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Manguna village within the Bokkos Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a G3 rifle, two revolver rifles, one magazine with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a quiver with 20 arrows, and 47 herds of cattle.
Six bandits and cattle rustlers were captured during the operation.
Abubakar also mentioned that troops raided the Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the state, recovering various weapons and ammunition.
He detailed, “Similarly on June 12, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted clearance operations at suspected bandits’ hideouts at Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan.”
During this operation, troops seized two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The troops are continuing operations in the area to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists.
Abubakar further reported the arrest of 29 suspected members of a cult group known as Sara-suka in Jos, with the recovery of fabricated rifles, pistols, and other dangerous weapons.
He commended the personnel for their efforts and assured the residents of the state of the operation’s commitment to securing their lives and property.
