Troops of the 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN have arrested two notorious gunrunners and kidnappers in Marit Mazat community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and other items during the operation.
The arrests followed a series of intelligence-led operations conducted with support from a partnering intelligence agency. According to a statement released on 11 May 2025 by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer for Operation SAFE HAVEN, the operation was triggered by the arrest of a suspect, Mr Yahaya Adamu, on 10 May at Barakin Gangare in the same LGA.
Acting on information obtained from Adamu, troops launched a follow-up raid in the early hours of 11 May in Marit Mazat, where they apprehended another suspect, Mr Saeedu Haruna. During the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and an ITEL phone.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects and their criminal network are behind several incidents of kidnapping and gunrunning in Gashish and Kurra Falls (Plateau State), as well as in Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The suspects are currently in custody and are said to be cooperating with security forces. Troops are continuing efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Operation SAFE HAVEN praised the cooperation of residents in exposing criminal hideouts and urged the public to continue sharing credible information to support ongoing security efforts in the region.