Over alleged murder and kidnapping in Plateau and Kaduna, troops detain 17 suspects

17 individuals have been detained by members of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force tasked with preserving calm in Plateau and portions of Bauchi and Kaduna States. The suspects are accused of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other crimes.

This information was revealed in a statement made on Monday in Jos by Capt. James Oya, the operation’s media officer.

The suspects were reportedly detained between August 21 and August 28 at various sites within Oya’s jurisdiction.

on connection with the murder of Mr. Joshua Deme on his farm in Kassa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the Plateau, troops detained five suspects.

In the Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, we also conducted a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of Mr. Baba Habu, a suspected kidnapper who had been on our wanted list.

“We also prevented a kidnapping attempt at the village of Angwan Takai in the Plateau’s Bokkos Local Government Area, which was made possible by the troops’ quick response to a distress call.

Overall, he added, “troops arrested 17 suspects, freed nine kidnapped victims, prevented six armed robberies, and attempted four attacks on vulnerable communities.”

He claimed that several of the suspects had weapons and ammo that had been found by the troops.

In a related event, troops raided criminal hideouts in the villages of Gwash and Kamantan in the local governments of Jos North and Zango Kataf in the Plateau and Kaduna, recovering a pistol and ammunition.

“Troops also apprehended infamous armed robber Mohammed Lawal in Kafanchan town; two fake weapons and one pistol were found.

“Troops also stopped a truck with the licence plate EKY-617-XF that was transporting damaged railroad tracks through the Riyom village of Gidan Ado.

“A drug kingpin named Maxwell Davou was apprehended at Waye in Jos South during a sting operation with items believed to be illegal drugs.

According to him, a fighting patrol made contact along the Alaghom and Mangu axis, which resulted in the neutralisation of certain bandits and the recovery of an AK-47 and another fake gun.

The media officer also stated that 237 cows were “arrested” by military for destroying crops on farms in the local government regions of Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom. (NAN)