Guardian Nigeria
Arrest Wanted Gunrunner Who Coordinated Attacks In Plateau
The Kaduna State Coordinating Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has disclosed that “in another victory for the security forces against bandits and terrorists in Kaduna State, troops neutralised a total of six terrorist elements during a strong round of clearance operations in Birnin Gwari Local Council.
This was even as troops of Operation Safe Heaven (OPHS) disclosed that they have arrested a wanted terrorist gunrunner in the North Central region who coordinated some recent attacks in Plateau State.
Giving an update of the battle against bandits in the Kaduna State yesterday, Aruwan said: “According to an operational feedback to the Kaduna State government, the troops of Sector 4 Operation Whirl Punch and 198 Special Forces Battalion conducted the special operations in Birnin Gwari LGA, in response to precise intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
“The troops began their mission by successfully clearing hot spots at Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi and Kampanin Doka villages.”
He pointed out that on arriving at Saulawa, the soldiers made contact with the bandits and two of the criminals were swiftly neutralised during the engagement, adding that one motorcycle and a Baofeng Radio Set were recovered.
“The troops made further contact with bandits at Farin Ruwa, where four enemy fighters were neutralised in the ensuing firefight. The troops cleared the area and recovered the following items: one GPMG, Two AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 51 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition and one motorcycle.
“The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, congratulated the troops led by Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch and General Officer Commanding, One Division Nigerian Army, Major General MLD Saraso for another remarkable outing and notable breakthrough in the push against banditry in the flashpoint location,” he said.
Aruwan added: “The governor lauded the victory as another testament to the power of efficient collaboration and coordination embraced by the forces, and supported by the government. He urged the troops to remain unrelenting in their advance towards the heart of the bandits’ enclaves.
“Citizens are encouraged to render useful information to the government through Kaduna State’s Security Operations Room via the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.”
On the arrest of a wanted terrorist gunrunner in the North Central region, intelligence sources informed Zagazola Makama, a counter insurgency media expert, that the suspect was arrested for participating in the 2023 Christmas eve attack on parts of Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local councils of Plateau State.
The sources said the feat was recorded yesterday when intelligence operatives tracked and arrested the suspect at Furaka Community in Lamingo axis of Jos Local Council.
The sources disclosed that during preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to have coordinated a series of kidnapping activities in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, in Jos East as well as Riyom local councils of Plateau, adding that the suspect is being investigated in military custody.
