13 distress calls leads to arrests of 54 criminals – Nigeria’s military Commander says

Nigeria

The Special Military Task Force in Plateau State, Maj. -Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar has said troops responding to 13 distress calls h from different locations within the general area under its control has arrested 54 criminal elements notably, kidnappers, farm invaders, armed robbery, gunrunners and illicit drugs traffickers amongst others.

Gen. Abubakar while appreciating the people of Plateau State in northcentral, Bauchi State in northeast and Southern Kaduna in northwestern part of Nigeria, for making the calls, urged them to continue to provide information that will lead to the arrest of more criminal elements.

Speaking in a statement sent by the Media Officer of the Task Force, Capt. James Oya, the Military boss lauded other sister agencies and local hunters for the synergy which also led to the neutralisation of 5 suspected kidnappers at Tahuwa community leading to the recovery of 3 AK 47 rifles, one SMG rifle and 105 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. 

“A total of 54 arrests were affected, 6 kidnappers neutralised, 7 victims rescued from kidnappers, 2 gunrunners arrested and 2 attacks on vulnerable communities deterred within the period while responding promptly to a total of 13 distress calls”, Oya affirmed.

“Troops also carried out a sting operation across Plateau and Kaduna States, during which 3 kidnappers were arrested and a suspected bandit, Dauda Tahiru was also arrested in connection with the last attack at Heipang village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State”, he said.

He continued: “Similarly, following actionable intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested a notorious gunrunner, Da Nyam and one other at Kwang/Kafanchan communities of Jos South/Jama’a LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States. 

“During the operation, troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, 55 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one DICON graded AK 47 rifle with registration number 563706042 and 1 magazine. Suspects are currently undergoing interrogation. 

Troops also conducted clearance operations at Alaghom village/Maijuju forest, Anguware hills and Fofur general areas in Mangu LGA and recovered one motorcycle and one AK 47 rifle loaded with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. 

“OPSH also handed over suspects and recovered truck load with vandalised railway slippers to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plateau State Command for further action”, he said

The statement added that the distress call thwarted a criminal attack around Rokwat and Mararaban Kantoma villages in Barkin Ladi LGA and also contained a reprisal attack in Ruga Fulani at Danhausa village. 

“Troops also rescued kidnapped victims Alhaji Buba Musa, Friday Luka, Joy Sunday, Marachi Chimeze and a pregnant woman at Munguna/Kuba/Kagoro/ Igai villages in Plateau and Kaduna States respectively. 

“In the same vein, troops apprehended one Mr Ibrahim Mohammed for car theft at Kamuru village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. 

“Troops also recovered 11 empty cases and rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition while responding to a kidnap incident at Angware village in Jos East, Plateau State”.

Also, troops arrested 2 herders, Musa Mamuda and Musa Alhaji for farm destruction at Yagbak village in Zango Kataf while 27 cows were recovered for grazing on a farmland at Bot village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. 

“41 drug dealers were arrested at Congo Russia in Jos North and are currently in custody for further action to NDLEA”, Gen. Abubakar confirmed.