In a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted within the past week, troops of the 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have successfully arrested several notorious gunrunners, bandits, and arms couriers, recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition in Plateau and Kaduna States.
On June 21, 2024, troops launched an operation to flush out armed militias and other criminals from a suspected bandit hideout in the Pandam Forest, Qua’anpan Local Government Area of Plateau State. During the operation, they recovered three AK-47 rifles, five AK-47 magazines, and 75 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
In a related development, a joint operation with a sister security agency on the same day led to the arrest of a notorious gunrunner along the Riyom-Abuja Road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The suspect was apprehended while attempting to supply 35 AK-47 magazines to another gunrunner, who had been previously tracked and arrested in Kano State on June 20, 2024.
Information obtained from the arrested suspect facilitated the immediate apprehension of a major arms supplier in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This individual was intercepted while preparing to receive the 35 AK-47 magazines for delivery to bandits in Zamfara State. A search of the major gunrunner’s residence led to the recovery of the magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, three Bajaj motorcycles, three mobile phones, and items suspected to be local charms.
Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer for Operation Safe Haven, expressed gratitude to the general public for providing credible information that contributed to the successful operations. He urged the populace to continue cooperating with security agencies to ensure a crime-free environment.
These operations underscore the commitment of the 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven to maintaining security and curbing criminal activities in the region.