Eight criminal suspects have been paraded as part of a significant operation by the Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), including the murder of Mrs. Dorathy Jonathan, gunrunning, gun manufacturing, an attack on the Saint Raphael Catholic Church in Fadan Kamantan village, Zango Kataf LGA, and the killing of a herder in Gora town, all of which occurred in Kaduna State.
The suspects were presented to the media at a press conference that was held today at the Operation SAFE HAVEN Headquarters in Jos by Captain Oya James, the OPSH’s media information officer.
In connection with the gruesome killing of Mrs. Dorathy Jonathan in Afana village, Zango Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, two of the suspects were detained.
A week-long intelligence operation resulted in the capture of wanted gunrunner Napoleon John, according to Captain James. John in turn led law enforcement officers to a secret weapons factory where Monday Dunia, another suspect, was making and selling guns of various calibres. Dunia acknowledged running this unlawful enterprise for more than five years, which has contributed to the current crises in both Kaduna and neighboring Plateau States.
Due to their claimed involvement in the murder of a herder during a local attack in retaliation for the killing of a farmer in Gora town, two further suspects were detained.
Furthermore, Hassan Mato and Ahmad Khalifa were detained for their participation in the assault on and burning down of the Saint Raphael Catholic Church in the hamlet of Fadan Kamantan, Zango Kataf LGA, Kaduna State. Naaman Stephen Ngophe, a seminarian, perished in this attack, while Reverend Father Emmanuel Okolo and Noah Monday were saved by the military.
The accused were found to be in possession of an astounding 31 weapons, all of different calibres. There were three AK-47 rifles, five constructed AK-47 rifles, one pump-action rifle, and ten locally made handguns among these weapons.
In addition, 3 locally made submachine weapons and 8 fake revolvers were seized.
Captain James thanked the law-abiding citizenry for their ongoing support in the fight against crime on behalf of Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division NA and Commander of OPSH. He reassured the populace that the accused would be tried as soon as the investigations were finished.
With an emphasis on destroying criminal networks and securing justice for crime victims, this operation highlights Operation SAFE HAVEN’s dedication to upholding peace and security in the area.
