Operation Save Haven (OPSH), deployed to restore law and order in Plateau State, on Sunday, has said that in keeping with the tradition of updating residents within its area of operational responsibility with developments as they occur, they have arrested members of the terrorist group and other criminals in various parts of the state.

OPHS, in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Sunday, said while the high profile suspects had been relocated out of town for investigation, other suspects will be handed over as soon as investigation is concluded on their cases for prosecution by appropriate security agencies.

The statement, which was signed by it media officer, Captain Ikediche Iweha, said members of the public are being requested to continue to maintain high vigilance especially around places where a large number of persons will be gathered.

According to him, park operators and managers, market unions, mosques, churches, schools and relaxation spots operators, are all enjoined to put in place security measures around their vicinity.

In other developments, following the report of the rustling of cattle belonging to one Alhaji Sale Bala of Lugare village, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area on the 11 October, 2015, personnel of OPSH engaged the rustlers in a hot pursuit with exchange of fire, forcing the rustlers to abandon the loot. The cattle numbering 52 cows and 22 rams were shared into smaller groups to enable faster escape of the rustlers.

The statement added that the recovered cattle were handed over to the Alhaji Sale Bala in the presence of the Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Barkin Ladi. In the same vein, 14 cows belonging to Mr. Nanbol Nimyel of Pinau village, in Wase Local Government Area of the state, were also recovered from rustlers who carted away the cows at gun point.

“The rustlers were overpowered by superior fire power in the process of recovery, and the cows handed over to the chairman of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association, Wase branch, for onward return to Mr. Nanbol”.

According to the statement, troops restrained cattle belonging to one Abdulkarim Adamu, which were reported to have encroached illegally and grazing on the farm of one Mr. Thomas Chollom, all of Rakun Village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

OPHS said a meeting was mediated between both parties by personnel of OPSH and the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000:00) only was assessed to have been the damage caused by the cattle, and was paid to Mr. Chollom by Alhaji Abdulkarim before the cattle were released to their owner.

It could be recalled that as part of measures being put in place by the Commander OPSH, Major General Tagbo Ude, to stem the clashes between herdsmen and locals in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, which mostly leads to loss of lives and property, the Commander had directed the enforcement of the payment of compensation for the killing of cattle and illegal grazing on crops in farm lands to their owners.

Part of the statement reads, “You will recall that following the Kadunu incidence in which lives, houses and other property were lost, and the role played by OPSH to prevent a relapse to reprisal, the OPSH wishes to state that it would not condone any situation in which its personnel and equipment would be the subject of any form of deliberate attack, covert.

“This warning is coming on the heels of the recent discovery and detonation of suspected land mines planted on road Gyambus in Mangu Local Government Council, to impede the response of OPSH to emergency situations.”

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