Troops raid bandits’ den, rescue three victims, recover arms

Plateau outlaws vigilance groups, hunters, and others during campaigns

Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have carried out a raid on a bandits’ hideout in Kaduna State, rescuing three kidnapped persons.

The move was in furtherance of clearance operations in the Kuriga-Manini-Udawa areas, along the boundary of Chikun-Birnin Gwari councils.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who made this known in a statement, said the troops also recovered arms and ammunition during the operations.

Aruwan said, acting on credible intelligence, the troops carried out search-and-rescue operations at the hideout located around Ungwan Malam Ali.

He said: “The troops made contact with the bandits, who withdrew with gunshot wounds under the superior firepower of the advancing forces.

“On raiding the camp, the troops rescued three kidnapped persons identified as Luka Ibrahim, Yusuf Jibril and Saminu Abdullahi.

“The troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 18 rounds of ammunition, and 11 pump action cartridges.

“The Kaduna State government received the operational feedback with satisfaction and commended the troops for another successful round of operations in the area. The rescued citizens have been returned to their community. Troops will continue to carry out operations in the areas.”

Aruwan added: “Citizens are urged to report suspicious individuals seeking treatment for gunshot injuries.”
MEANWHILE, in Plateau State, local security organisations, like Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), hunters’ associations and neighbourhood watch, have been outlawed from participating in electoral campaign activities.

Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, gave the directive, yesterday when he held a meeting with heads of security agencies, political party chairmen and the Resident Electoral Commissioner at Police Officers’ Mess, Jos.

Onyeka asked political parties to abide by provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and INEC guidelines.

He also urged party leaders and chieftains to prevail on flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that could incite violence or constitute a breach of the peace.

He said: “On no account should any of the above-mentioned groups be seen anywhere near political campaigns and rallies in any parts of Plateau State. This is simply to inform all and sundry that all local security groups are, hereby, outlawed from being part of any political activities.

“All Area Commanders, PMF Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Heads of Police Tactical Units are under strict instructions from the Police Force Headquarters not to tolerate any forms of political thuggery, intimidation, violent conduct/clashes that may jeopardise the prevailing peace.

“They have also been directed to arrest and immediately prosecute any person in possession of a firearm or dangerous weapons during campaigns and rallies in their respective jurisdictions.”