Troops of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Operation Safe Haven, tasked with maintaining peace in Plateau State, have successfully rescued 18 kidnapped individuals and reunited them with their families across Plateau, Zamfara, and Taraba States.
According to the Military Information Officer of OpSH, Major Samson Zhakom, the rescued victims include Saidu Ibrahim, Hassan Janyu, and Usman Haliru from Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State. Others are Baba Sale, Abdullahi Sabo, Mallam Yahaya, Yahaya Talau, Ali Kaka, Jala Garba, Musa Yaya, Hayyu Ari, Garba Ya’u, Idi Usman, Saadu Usman, Abdullahi Ango, Auwalu Bello, and Hauwau Buba, all hailing from Wase LGA of Plateau State, as well as Muhammadu Bello from Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.
Zhakom, in a statement issued from Jos on Thursday, detailed the extensive offensive operations conducted over the past two months. He highlighted actions along the borders of Plateau and Taraba States, particularly in Bangalala and Kinishi Forests, which span Wase and Karim Lamido LGAs. These operations yielded significant results.
“On 23 December 2024, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE captured five bandits at a criminal hideout in Tarangol, located in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. Items recovered from the criminals include 3 fabricated rifles, 2 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 4 cartridges, and 2 daggers. On 25 December 2024, troops on Op GOLDEN PEACE intercepted five bandits at Jannaret in Mangu LGA of Plateau State while attempting to cause mayhem. Troops recovered 1 fabricated rifle and 4 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) from the criminals. Suspects are in custody making useful confessions,” Zhakom stated.
He further reported that on 27 December 2024, a notorious kidnap kingpin, Musa Abubakar, also known as Haburuwa, was apprehended by troops at Jebbu Village in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. The suspect admitted to orchestrating multiple kidnappings within Bassa and Jos South LGAs.
Additionally, on 28 December 2024, the troops apprehended Mosaje, a well-known gunrunner, in Dengi, Kanam LGA of Plateau State. Zhakom explained, “The suspect confessed to coordinating the supply of weapons to a criminal syndicate. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his collaborators and recover their weapons.”
Other notable achievements include the arrest of a gun-running syndicate member on 1 January 2025 at New Layout in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. The operation led to the recovery of two fabricated pistols, three rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), and one cartridge.
On the same day, Sector 7 troops captured two suspected gunrunners at Angwan Rimi Checkpoint in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA, Kaduna State. Recovered items included a fabricated pistol, a round of 7.62 mm (Special), and a jack-knife.
Zhakom also recounted a successful mission on 3 January 2025, when troops of FOB Sanga foiled a kidnapping at Angwan Nungu Village, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State. The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and the recovery of one Dane gun.
“On 4 January 2025, troops of Sector 5 OPSH on Op GOLDEN PEACE laid ambush at the hideout of a kidnappers’ collaborator disguised as a POS operator at Angwan Hausawa in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. The kidnappers approached the shop to collect ransom money paid by a victim to the collaborator’s account. However, the kidnappers tried to escape but one of them was neutralized. Troops arrested a teenager used by the kidnappers as an errand boy and recovered the cash sum of N200,000.00 from the suspect,” he added.
The statement underscores the military’s commitment to combating insecurity in these regions and restoring peace to affected communities.
