Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have arrested 17 suspects for alleged murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal acts.

Capt. James Oya, the media officer of the operation, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Jos.

Mr Oya said the suspects were arrested between August 21 and 28 at various locations within its area of responsibility.

According to him, five suspects were arrested for killing one Joshua Deme on his farm in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

He said a suspected kidnapper, Baba Habu, who had been on a wanted list, was arrested in Jagindi Tasha village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

”We equally foiled a kidnap attempt in Angwan Takai village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, and this was possible upon prompt response by the troops to a distress call.

”In all, troops arrested 17 suspects, rescued nine kidnapped victims, foiled six armed robbery attempts and four attempted attacks on vulnerable communities within the period under review,” he said.

He said the troops also recovered arms and ammunition from some of the suspects. He said one pistol, cartridges and rounds of 7.62mm special were recovered from criminals’ hideouts in Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf local government area of Kaduna. 

”A notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, was also arrested in Kafanchan town by troops, and two fabricated rifles and one pistol recovered.

”Troops also intercepted a truck with registration number EKY-617-XF conveying vandalised railway tracks along Gidan Ado village in Riyom.

”A drug kingpin, Maxwell Davou, was nabbed during a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye Foundation Du in Jos South.

”A fighting patrol made contact around Alaghom and Mangu, axis leading to the neutralisation of some bandits and recovered one AK–47 rifles and another fabricated rifle,” he said.

The media officer added that troops arrested 237 cows within the period for destroying crops on farms in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas.

(NAN)