Troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State have dismantled a kidnappers’ den in Bassa Local Government Area, apprehending a notorious kingpin identified as Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman.
The spokesman for the Military Taskforce, Major Samson Zhakom, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said the raid was part of efforts to ensure a secure harvest season and peaceful yuletide in Plateau and its environs.
Zhakom said the operation codenamed Operation GOLDEN PEACE, which was conducted on identified criminal hideouts in the Rafiki general area of Bassa Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, also led to the arrest of Musa’s accomplice, Mallam Alhassan Samaila, and the recovery of 439 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a four-litre engine oil gallon.
According to Zhakom, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects disguised as transporters to smuggle ammunition to bandits operating in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara states.
“The arrested suspects are making useful confessions, and security agencies are currently conducting follow-up operations to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate and recover more arms and ammunition,” the statement added.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property within the Joint Operations Area, noting that critical combat enablers recently deployed by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff had bolstered their operations, especially in Plateau State.
The statement further appealed to the public to support security agencies with timely intelligence to help rid the area of criminal activities.
“Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely intelligence to facilitate the eradication of criminalities within the Joint Operations Area,” Zhakom said.
