In its effort to rid Plateau And Nigeria of illegal firearms and other deadly weapons, the Nigerian Military through the Commander Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar today handed over illicit arms and weapons seized from criminal elements in the State to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
He disclosed that the weapons were recovered in the kinetic operations conducted by the security agencies of Operation Safe Haven.

He said as security agencies, they have sworn the oath to defend the Country and protect the lives and property of the citizens devoid of any form of sentiments.
He said “I have always reiterated my stand to always be fair, just and treat all equally”
He further stated that the Federal Government in its determination to bring an end to the senseless bloodletting and insecurity occasioned by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in circulation with Communities deployed a strategy of mopping up all illicit weapons and said it is in that regard that the Federal Government in its wisdom established the National Centre for the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in May 3, 2021 to institutionalize Small Arms and Light Weapons control at all levels of the polity and to mainstream illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons eradication efforts.
He urged the general public to accord the Federal Government the needed support in its concerted efforts to eradicate illicit arms in circulation and by extension, promote an illicit arms-free society.

He disclosed that tremendous successes have been recorded in stemming the tide of criminal attacks on Communities and individuals.
According to him “both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches have been employed at community, local government as well as State levels to ensure the mandate of the Operation is achieved”
He said the combined effect of their efforts have led to the neutralization of several bandits, arrest of suspects, recovery of weapons as well as the capture of gunrunners and prosecution of some persons culpable of fanning the embers of crisis in their area of operation.
He assured the citizens that the troops of the Operation are resolute and committed to checkmating all forms of crime and violence. He pointed out that the troops have maintained an offensive posture, conducting several kinetic operations striving into hinterland to protect isolated communities in the conduct of the ongoing “Operation Hakorin Damisa” which he said have led to huge recovery of illegal weapons, drugs, motorcycles, vehicles as well as the rescue of kidnapped victims.

130 Small Arms and Light Weapons comprising of 29 Dane guns, 53 fabricated revolver rifles; while other automatic weapons are 14 AK-47 Rifles, 1 G3 rifle, 8 locally fabricated pistols, 9 Harris Burg pistol and 2 locally fabricated SMG were handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Others also handed over included 28 AK-47 Magazines, 3 locally fabricated magazines, one RPG7 Tube, 1,522 rounds of ammunitions, 50 rounds of 9mm ammunitions, 6 cartridge ammunition and 4 RPG7 rockets with Chargers.
He appreciated the citizens who have been helpful to the security outfit in providing actionable information leading to the success of their operation and reiterated the commitment of the Military to sustain the tempo in order to decisively curtail the activities of criminal elements in the Joint Area of Operation.
“We would remain professional, decisive and responsive in the discharge of our constitutional mandate” he added.

While receiving the weapons at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos Plateau State, Major General Abba Dikko (Rtd) who was represented by Major General Hamza Bature (Rtd) the North Central Coordinator of the Centre applauded the personnel of Operation Safe Haven for the gallantry and putting their lives on the line to recover such illicit weapons from criminal elements.
He hinted that such recoveries have saved several lives which may have been terrorized and killed or robbed of their property. He said this is the second time Illegal weapons from unauthorized persons were recovered and handed over to the Centre which is a demonstration that the military is committed to getting rid of such weapons from the unauthorized citizens.
While applauding the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and his men, he charged them not to relent on their oars but to carry on with the good efforts in order to get the illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons recovered from unauthorized persons.
He further urged the citizens to support Operation Safe in its effort to make the society illicit arms-free as well as collaborate by way of information sharing and intelligence gathering.
He also reminded the media of the vital roles by reporting accurately those handling illegal weapons and report correctly efforts put in place by Operation Safe Haven and other organizations of the Armed Agencies so that they can be appreciated by Nigerians.

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Military Releases Illicit Arms and Weapons Recovered in Plateau State to NCCSALW, Vows to Defend Nigeria and Protect Citizens