The brave soldiers of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) made outstanding advancements in the ongoing Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV during a series of operations from September 25 to October 4, 2023. These operations, which were conducted across Southern Kaduna and Plateau State, netted 91 criminal suspects, recovered weapons and ammunition, freed captives, and led to suspect convictions.
The arrest of infamous kidnappers Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman, who were wanted by the government, was one of the OPSH troops’ major accomplishments. They were captured in Plateau State’s Mista Ali hamlet in the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA). The suspects admitted under questioning that they were responsible for the July 2023 abduction of seven students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS). The seizure of an AK-47 weapon from the suspects that was loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition was a notable discovery.
In addition, OPSH acted on reliable intelligence, which resulted in the detention of Mr. Goma Abubakar and Jibril Abass in relation to the horrific attack on Takania village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, which claimed the lives of six innocent people.Several other notorious armed robbers and kidnappers were also apprehended during these operations.
The soldiers effectively stopped instances of cattle rustling, saved 145 animals, and gave the cows back to their original owners. Additionally, they stopped a vehicle carrying 720 bags of urea fertiliser that had fraudulent clearance paperwork, which resulted in the arrest of the people inside the truck. Additionally, OPSH officers freed numerous kidnapped people, including Salvation Obadiah and Miss Silva Hassan, as well as seven farmers in the Mangu LGA who were harvesting their crops.
The OPSH did a great thing by getting four defendants convicted of theft, receiving stolen items, and criminal conspiracy. Each of these defendants received a sentence of one year and six months in prison with the possibility of a fine.
91 arrests were made as a result of the operations, which also prevented five attacks on communities at risk, stopped two kidnapping attempts, and quickly responded to 24 distress calls. Major General AE Abubakar, the commander of OPSH, thanked the Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna towns for their cooperation and advised residents to keep giving the military useful information. He gave the people his word that once the investigations were over, the culprits would be charged to court right away.
The OPSH forces’ efforts in Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV have shown their steadfast dedication to preserving the safety and security of the area.
