From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Media Operations (DMO) said soldiers on internal security operations in Plateau State have killed a notorious bandit/kidnap kingpin at Kan Duniya Village, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The troops also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered several weapons and logistics from the criminals.

DMO Director, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made this known in a statement on Wednesday, saying the troops arrested ten armed robbery suspects at Kafanchan Town, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State.

He said the soldiers working in conjunction with vigilante groups recorded the feat while on clearance operations in various parts of Plateau and Kaduna States.

The statement reads:

Related News

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in a sustained effort to eliminate criminal elements in their Area of operation on 28 June 2022 based on credible intelligence conducted a clearance operation in conjunction with vigilantes at Kan Duniya Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, neutralised notorious bandit and kidnapper. Similarly, on the same day, troops on fighting patrol sighted 2 x suspected kidnappers around Sara High Ground Mangu Local Government Area Plateau State on a motorcycle. Suspects abandoned their motorcycle on sighting troops and fled. Troop exploited the area and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 magazines, 1 motorcycle, 1 iron digger and 2 black jackets amongst others

Furthermore, on 28 June 2022 based on intelligence, troops conducted a cordon search operation at Fanock Village, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State and found a Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABUJA KUJ 452 AZ with no occupant. Troops conducted search operations in the surrounding bush and rescued 3 kidnapped civilians; 2 females and a male. Additionally, same-day troops arrested 10 armed robbery suspects at Kafanchan Town, Jema’a Local Government Area Kaduna State.

The arrested suspects include Messrs Manga Ismail 22 years, Idris Haruna (Ban Sambo) 20 years, Sani Bali 19 years, Shamsudeen Ladan 25 years, Abdulmajid Yau (Sele) 22 years, Abubakar Hassan 23 years, Abbas Aliyu 15 years, Mohammed Umar (Jazuli) 17 years, Jonathan Vincent (Bamai) 19 years and Stephen Joseph 25 years. Items recovered from the criminals include TV, DVD, gas cookers, Mattrasses, woofer, phones, and scissors, among others. They are presently undergoing interrogations.

The military high command commends troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on criminal activities.

Read also: Reps begin probe of MDAs over overlapping of functions