Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on April 28, 2025, busted a car-snatching syndicate in Jos, Plateau State, while on patrol around the Federal Low-Cost Estate in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA).

They intercepted an ash-coloured Opel Vectra car with two occupants at the Lalong Gate of the estate.

A statement on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer (MIO) of OPSH, Major Samson Zhakom, said that upon sighting the troops, the driver attempted to make a detour and escape but was immediately stopped by the troops.

However, while questioning the occupants of the car, the driver attempted to zoom off and overrun the patrol motorcycle of the troops, but the troops acted swiftly, neutralising the driver of the vehicle, said the statement.

The statement read, “During preliminary questioning of the surviving suspect, he confessed that they are armed robbers specialising in snatching vehicles, and added that he returned to Jos from Katsina State on 27 April 2025 for car snatching activities. During a search on the vehicle, troops recovered one identity card of a security agency used by the criminals to evade security checks and some car master keys used in opening cars of their victims.

“Furthermore, troops conducted follow-up operations at the hideout of the suspects at Corner Shagari, Angwan Rogo in Jos North LGA of Plateau State, where one fabricated pistol was recovered from the ceiling of the hideout. The suspect also volunteered to lead troops to the hideout of another accomplice in the same vicinity.

“However, while leading troops to the hideout, the suspect made a daring attempt to disarm one of the soldiers in order to effect his escape, but troops acted swiftly and neutralised the suspect in the process. Troops are conducting operations to identify and apprehend other accomplices of the criminal syndicate. Operation Safe Haven is intensifying efforts to clamp down on all forms of criminals and ensure the general area is safe for law-abiding residents.”