Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on the ongoing Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A, have neutralised two kidnappers and nabbed suspected gunrunners while recovering arms and ammunition in Plateau and Kaduna states.
OPSH’s Media Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, made this known in a statement on Thursday.
He narrated that on March 12, 2025, the troops conducted offensive operations as part of the ongoing Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A to clear criminal elements hibernating around Kuru and Turu in Jos South local government area (LGA) of Plateau State.
he said during the operation, troops made contact with kidnappers/terrorists close to the high grounds in Kuru and neutralised 2 of the criminals who were in possession of 18 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) and 9 rounds of 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition.
Additionally, on same day, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN conducting Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A mounted snap checkpoints along Bokkos – Bot – Mangu road in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, following credible intelligence on the movement of arms and ammunition along the area.
During the operation, troops intercepted a notorious gunrunner identified as Sengi David, aged 21, who hails from Kopal Village in Panyam District in Mangu LGA of the state. He was in possession of one AK-47 magazine and 48 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition. The suspect and recovered items are in custody for investigation.
In a similar development, troops on 11 March 2025 conducted a sting operation to arrest a notorious kidnapper, terrorist and gunrunner identified as Blessed Paul, 22, at Garaje Community in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State.
The suspect, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies for kidnapping and gunrunning activities had earlier escaped to the FCT Abuja to evade arrest.
He was however lured by troops who posed as potential buyers, promising to pay him N1.5m for one AK-47 rifle. The suspected gunrunner agreed and met the troops at the selected spot in Garaje Community where he was rounded up.
A search on the suspect led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and 2 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special).
According to Zhakom, the suspect and recovered arms and ammunition are in custody, and the suspect is making useful confessions to assist troops in further operations to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate.
Furthermore, on 12 March 2025, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted rescue operations at the outskirts of Josho Village in Daffo District in Bokkos LGA of Plateau state, following credible intelligence that kidnappers were keeping some abducted victims in the area.
During the operation, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled upon sighting troops. Consequently, troops searched the hideout and rescued 2 female victims identified as Nanbam Adamu, 11 and Dorcas Wantu, both indigenes of Mbor Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA.
The rescued victims have been debriefed and handed over to their families, even as troops are currently conducting follow-up operations to intercept and neutralise the fleeing kidnappers.
“Troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN will remain resolute in the discharge of their duties, while we advise the general public to continually provide useful and credible information to aid the operations of troops”, Zhakom said.
