Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division, operating under the codename Operation Safe Haven, have arrested a suspected armed bandit in Kaduna State and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in a separate operation in Plateau State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the suspect was intercepted on June 5 at Katsit community in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He was dressed in military camouflage and allegedly used the disguise to rob residents by impersonating a soldier.
Items recovered from the suspect include an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, three rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, seven empty cases of the same caliber, a fake vigilante identification card, a mobile phone, and two ATM cards.
The suspect is currently in military custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation carried out in the early hours of June 16, troops raided a suspected gunrunning hideout at Kwanar Lauje in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
While the suspects reportedly fled before the troops arrived, a search of the hideout yielded an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, an AK-47 rifle butt, 300 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a 9mm round, two 12.7mm rounds, and an abandoned motorcycle.
All recovered items are in military custody as follow-up operations continue to apprehend the fleeing suspects.