Troops of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau State on Wednesday, dismantled a kidnap gang in Bassa local government area, where the notorious kingpin, Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman, was arrested while sophisticated arms were recovered.
Spokesman for the OPHS, Major Samson Zhakom, who disclosed this while parading the suspects at the Taskforce headquarters in Jos, said the operation which was carried out in Rafiki community, also led to the arrest of Musa’s accomplice identified as Mallam Alhassan Samaila, and the recovery of ammunition concealed in the hideout.
Zhakom said the raid was part of efforts to ensure a secure harvest season and peaceful yuletide in Plateau and its environs.
“In continuation of robust efforts to ensure secure harvest and peaceful yuletide celebrations in the Joint Operations Area as directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. OO Oluyede, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN on Operation GOLDEN PEACE conducted an intelligence-based raid on identified criminal hideouts in the Rafiki General Area of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, with positive outcomes, including the capture of a notorious kidnap kingpin and recovery of a cache of ammunition on December 10, 2024.
“During the operation, security agencies captured the target, Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman, alongside his collaborator, Mallam Alhassan Samaila.
“A thorough search of their hideout led to the recovery of 439 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a four-litre engine oil gallon,” Zhakom said.
The OPSH spokesman also revealed that 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.
“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 added.
