Plateau attacks: Troops nab notorious gunrunners, recover AK-47
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with an intelligence agency, have arrested two notorious gunrunners and kidnappers in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
The arrests followed a coordinated intelligence-based operation conducted by troops of 3 Division and supported by an intelligence base agency in the early hours of Sunday, in Marit Mazat community.
In a statement by Samson Zhakom, the spokesperson of OPSH, made available to Journalists on Sunday in Jos said the operation came on the heels of an earlier arrest of a suspected criminal, Yahaya Adamu, at Barakin Gangare in Barkin Ladi on 10 May 2025.
He said acting swiftly on information obtained during preliminary interrogations, troops carried out follow-up raids which led to the capture of another key suspect, Saeedu Haruna. During the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and an ITEL mobile phone.
He added that according to preliminary investigations, the arrested suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate responsible for numerous criminal activities including kidnapping and gunrunning in Gashish and Kurra Falls areas of Plateau State, as well as Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
“The operation was sequel to the arrest of a gunrunner and kidnapper identified as Mr Yahaya Adamu at Barakin Gangare in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State on 10 May 25. During the follow-up operations, troops arrested a notorious gunrunner/kidnapper, Mr Saeedu Haruna and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and one ITEL phone.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested suspects and their syndicate are responsible for most of the criminal activities along Gashish and Kurra Falls in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, also in Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. The arrested suspects are making useful confessions in custody, while efforts are ongoing by troops to track and arrest other members of the criminal syndicate as well as recover their weapons”; he added.
He also said security forces have launched a manhunt for other members of the gang as efforts continue to recover additional weapons and dismantle the entire criminal network.
He appreciated the public for their cooperation and urged them to continue providing credible intelligence. He reiterated the commitment of the troops to protect lives and property across the Joint Operations Area, while hunting down non-state actors threatening national security.
Source: BUSINESS DAY
