The Special Task Force codenamed “Operation Safe Haven” with Headquarters situated in Jos, the Plateau State has made remarkable breakthroughs within the past two (2) Months in its Joint Operation Area compromising of Plateau State, parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States.
These breakthroughs include the suspects alleged to have perpetuated the Christmas Eve attacks on some communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State as well as a criminal element involved in a widely circulated videoed killing in Mangu Local Government Area.

The Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar represented by the Deputy Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Tazangwue Iyua revealed the key successes recorded by personnel of Operation Safe Haven in two Months at the Headquarters of the Special Task Force in Jos to Journalists whole parading some arrested suspects.

He said the success recorded against the criminal elements and enemies of peace are highlighted to capture the major breakthrough among other numerous achievements of security agencies.

He disclosed that the capacity of personnel has been boosted as promised by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff during their operational assessment of the security situation on the Plateau and environs as well as the Inspector General of Police.

“The deployment of more personnel and critical enablers as well as technology and the ongoing Operations HAKORIN DAMISA IV are targeted at flushing out non-state actors in Operation SAFE HAVEN Joint Operations Area. We have dominated the entire landscape and frustrated the activities of criminal elements, leading to the arrest of suspected criminals, raiding of illegal gun manufacturing factories, rescue of kidnapped victims, foiling of criminal attacks on innocent civilians and villages, neutralization of bandits and recovery of illegal weapons/ammunition amongst others” he hinted.

He said On 2 January 2024, personnel deployed at Hawan Kibo checkpoint in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State intercepted a black Mercedes Benz C350 with number plate PLATEAU BUU 140NG snatched at gunpoint from one Mr Abas Sani and arrested two suspects, Samuel Ganya and Mohammed Nuru Shaibu. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was snatched from the owner in Bauchi State.

“Also on 2 January 2024, security agencies responded to a distress call on the activities of suspected bandits at Bang, Zamtip and Gwantim villages under Kadarko District in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. The criminals were engaged forcing them to flee. Four suspects were arrested and three motorcycles recovered from the scene. On the same day, personnel arrested a notorious criminal named Mr Markus Dawa 46 years with one rifle and a pistol at Damakasua village in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspect who has been on the watch list of security agencies confessed to have participated in several kidnappings and isolated killings. Similarly, security agencies on mobile patrol arrested a suspected criminal, Daman Isaac, 19 years at Yemdun Mangun village in Mangu Local Government Area and recovered one pistol, two cartridges, one dagger, one motorcycle and assorted charms.

“Furthermore, On 3 January 2024, personnel responded to a distress call on the kidnap of one Emmanuel Monday Jafrom along Kaskara-Mangu road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The victim was rescued and one of the kidnappers named Biliyaminu Musa captured.

“Equally, On 4 January 2024, security agencies stationed at Gashish junction checkpoint in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State arrested Mr Shamsu Ibrahim Bakoji 45 years for collaborating with militias to attack Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas” he stated.

He further stated that in another development Operation SAFE HAVEN in it’s efforts to ensure arrested suspects are brought to justice have on 8 January 2024 arraigned four criminal suspects Dalek Rafan, Makut Danladi, Hussaini Isa and Ayuba Sati before the Chief Magistrate court Abattoir Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The suspects were charged for unlawful possession of weapons and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.
“Similarly, on 14 January 2024, personnel arrested two suspected gun runners, Abubakar Adamu and Surajo Salisu at Gyanbar village in Wase Local Government Area and recovered one Beretta pistol, four rifles, one AK 47 rifle receiver cover with two cases of 7.62mm ammunition and filing machine Furthermore, on 15 January 2024, four criminal suspects, Fatai Lawal, Ishaq Usman, Adamu Usman and Zubairu Usman were also arraigned before the Chief Magistrate court Abattoir in Jos South Local Government Area. “The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of weapons and car theft. The suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

“In another development, personnel on 19 January 2024, responded to an armed robbery incident along road Shendam-Lafia and neutralised one armed robber, recovered an AK 47 rifle while others fled with gunshot injuries. Similarly, on 20 January 2024, security agencies through sustained intelligence arrested five suspects who took part in the Christmas Eve attack on Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. “Additionally, on 23 January 2024, troops raided and neutralised five notorious kidnappers at their hideout at Asakara village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State and recovered assorted weapons and charms.

According to him “During the period under review, on 2 February 24, personnel arrested two suspects Ibrahim Mohammed 52 years and Zaharadeen Ibrahim 34 years identified in a viral video while murdering someone during the crisis in Mangu on 24 January 2024. Security agencies also recorded significant breakthrough against illegal manufacturing and proliferation of arms. On 14 February 2024, while acting on credible information, a local weapon fabrication factory on a high ground within Pakachi village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State was raided. A suspect, Tapshak Plangi 25 years was arrested at the factory while the alleged owner of the factory was at large. Items recovered at the factory includes five AK 47 Rifles, four AK 47 Magazines, eleven Rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, five Rounds of 9mm Ammunition, twenty one Dane Guns, four Revolver Rifles, eleven Pistols with five Magazines, seventeen Gun Barrels, six Rounds of 0.44 Inch Ammunition, a Carbide Cylinder with Accessories, 3 Saws, 12 Filing Machines, 4 Hammers, 6 Manual Drilling Machines, 2 Electrically Operated Filing Machines, two G-Clamps, one Spraying Machine, one Tiger Generator and Assorted Drilling Irons. Also on 16 February 2024, personnel intercepted a passerby, Mr Friday Machem 45years while moving in a suspicious manner at Fubok/Ganda village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. Security agencies on searching the suspect recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm special and own mobile phone concealed in his jacket. On the same day, personnel on patrol came in contact with suspected armed robbers who blocked road Sara-Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area. The blockage was cleared and one criminal during the firefight, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Security agencies further recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm special and one mobile phone. Also, amongst those being paraded this morning is Gambo Alhaji Shehu one of the suspects who carried out the attack of 18 February 2024 at Ariri junction which led to the death of one person while three others sustained injuries”

He stated that during investigation, the suspect confessed to have partook in the attack.

“In a similar situation, on 21 and 23 February 2024, security agencies arrested five suspects who attacked Kitako Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on 11 February 2024. The suspects include Alhaji Ya’u Idris, Samaila Idris, Abdulsalam Ibrahim, Buhari Mahmoud, Yahuza Ibrahim, Gadaffi Saidu and Adamu Buba. The suspects are undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. In the same vein, on 22 “February 2024, personnel acting on credible information arrested Mohammed Bello also known as HARABU DAN ZAMFARA for sewing military uniforms for suspected bandits at Mangu Halle in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. During the arrest, security agencies recovered one pistol, one cartridge, one desert camouflage t-shirt and one mobile phone amongst others. Also, following the kidnapping of one Alhaji Likita at Kaniyaka village, Jengre district in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, on 24 February 2024, security agencies received credible information on the movement of the kidnappers, mobilised to the location and rescued the victim unhurt. “Personnel further arrested the masterminder of the kidnapping incident, Abubakar Adam at Rishi village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. On 25 February 2024, security agents conducted intensive operations in Kwalla village, Qua’anpan pan Local Government Area following the arrest of two suspected criminals, Mallam Idi Ali 42 years and Mallam Isiaka Mohammadu 37 years both arrested in Beal village of Qua’anpan Local Government Area on 23 February 2024. The two suspects were arrested with one rifle three live cartridges and two cases of 7.62mm special. Further confession of the two prime suspects earlier arrested led to the arrest of Mr Peter Simeon 55 years, Alpha Aze 35 years and Saminu Abubakar 37 years, with another rifle and rounds. The suspects further confessed to kidnapping and armed robbery around the Qua’anpan general area.

“On 28 February 2024, security agencies in a joint operation raided a suspected gun manufacturing factory at Gyel Community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The owner of the illegal factory escaped but troops recovered seven rifles, six pistols and fifteen rounds of different calibers of ammunition.

“In summary, a total of seventy nine civilians were rescued from kidnappers and armed robbers, while a total of one hundred and ten different calibres of weapons were recovered and 1,161 ammunition recovered from suspected criminals. Security agencies also neutralized a total of 13 armed criminals and arrested 271 suspects for offenses related to kidnapping, armed robbery, gun running, banditry, farm destruction, vandalism and other sundry crimes. So far, we have prosecuted a total of 33 arrested suspects to court and dismantled 2 arms fabrication factory. Also, personnel recovered a total of 554 livestock from rustlers”

He appreciated the people of Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi States for their immense support and cooperation towards ensuring credible information is provided to aid the successful conduct of operations by security agencies towards flushing out criminal elements and their collaborators.
He further enjoined the citizenry to prioritise peace over violence, eschew taking laws into their hands and ensure aggrieved persons seek redress through the justice system.
Operation Safe Haven further reaffirmed its commitment in redoubling efforts towards securing all law abiding citizens.

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Operation Safe Haven Parade Suspects of Plateau Christmas Eve Killings and Others, Recovers Dangerous Arms and Ammunition