Troops of the Nigerian Army killed seven bandits, recovered arms/ammunition and arrested 33 suspects during the raids they carried out within the last one week.

The Army in a statement on X on Tuesday said the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV carried out the raids from 13 to 20 November, 2023.

The troops carried out the operation in connection with kidnapping, murder, arms dealing, criminal attacks, railway vandalism, cattle rustling, farm destruction and made several noteworthy arrests.

“On 13 November 2023, troops acting on tip-off, arrested Mr Suleiman Mohammed in possession of one AK 47 rifle and a mobile phone, in Bakin Kogi area, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State,” the statement read.

Also, on 13 November, troops arrested five suspects in connection with a criminal attack on Mr Sati Pewat on his farm at Tileng Paat village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.

In a related development, on 14 November, troops conducted a raid operation at Tileng Paat village in Pushit district of Mangu LGA, Plateau State and arrested one Umurana Adamu in possession of an AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 9 rounds of 7.62mm special.

Similarly, on 14 November, troops acting on credible information arrested a suspected arms dealer, Mr Rufai Abdullahi at Kamuru area in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.

Also on 14 November, troops while on fighting patrol made contact with bandits at Kachallah high-ground and engaged them with superior firepower resulting in the neutralisation of 6 bandits while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

Troops further exploited the area and recovered one AK 47 rifle, 2 magazines, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special, one motorcycle, 2 Tecno phones, 2 packs of cigarettes, 56 rounds of 7.62mm Special and 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

In another development, On 14 November, troops neutralised a suspected bandit, Musa Wada during a search operations at Kondo villag.

Additionally, on 14 November, troops responded to information on planned attack by suspected militias on Tileng Paat village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.

Troops’ timely response averted the attack and the area was subsequently dominated by patrol. In the same vein, on 14 November, troops conducted raid operations to kidnappers’ hideout at Biji Biji village in Hawul and arrested one suspected kidnapper, Dahiru Ibrahim.

Also on 15 November, OPSH Tactical Team in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended two notorious arms dealers, Abdullahi Ali and Ibrahim Hussaini while en route Zamfara State to deliver large quantities of ammunition to a bandit kingpin.

Furthermore, on 15 November, troops on routine patrol arrested 3 suspected impostors, Mohammed Abdullahi Bazambade, Musa Mairali and Umar Mohammed.

The suspects were caught wearing Military camouflage at Mansuldal Guest Inn and fake USD1300 US Dollars notes as well as military camouflage uniforms were recovered from the miscreants.

Also, troops of Sector 1 while responding to a distress call from New Market Jos arrested one Awalu Ibrahim of Rikkoks with a dark bag containing 19 green military camouflage uniforms.

On 18 November, troops at Makera checkpoint in Riyom LGA of Plateau State arrested 4 rail line vandals, Cosmos Eze, Abdullah Saidu, David Boyi and Dashe Peter Daniel in possession of 30 pieces of vandalised railway sleepers in a Peugeot Boxer vehicle.

Similarly, on 18 November, troops acting on credible information, arrested a wanted criminal Lukman Aminu at Tafawa village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

On 19 November, troops arrested two suspects, Gyang Yohanna and Agwom Gyang Zi at Zot Foron village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State with one AK 47 rifle and one empty magazine.

Similarly, on 19 November, OPSH Tactical Team in a joint operation with DSS arrested two notorious arms dealers, Thomas Pam A.K.A Oga and his associate Yakubu Gyang at Mangu LGA, Plateau State.

In all, a total of 33 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes within the last week. Five were arrested for kidnapping, 6 for dealing in arms, 2 for murder, 4 for railway vandalism and 2 for farm destruction, while 7 bandits were neutralised.

Additionally, 15 kidnapped victims were rescued, 3 attacks on vulnerable communities were deterred and 8 distress calls were promptly responded to.
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