Troops apprehend 2 kidnap kingpins, recover cache of ammunition

Story by Victor Itodo ABUH

Troops from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army have successfully apprehended two suspected kidnappers in Plateau. The arrests took place during a special operation dubbed “Operation Golden Peace” in Bassa Local Government Area near Jos.

Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer for OPSH, confirmed the arrest during a news briefing on Wednesday, revealing that the suspects were captured on December 10 with a significant cache of ammunition.

The operation, a part of the ongoing efforts to ensure a peaceful holiday season, was directed by Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Zhakom detailed that the troops, following intelligence-based raids, apprehended notorious kidnap kingpins Mohammed Musa (also known as Mamman) and Malam Alhassan Samaila. The raid, which targeted criminal hideouts in Rafiki, Bassa Local Government, also led to the discovery of 439 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a 4-liter engine oil gallon.

Read also: 3 dead, 25 rescued in troops’ raid on kidnappers’ den

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been posing as transporters to smuggle the ammunition to bandits operating in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara.

Zhakom stated that the suspects have been making valuable confessions, and security forces are continuing follow-up operations to capture additional members of the criminal syndicate and recover more arms and ammunition.

He reassured Plateau residents of the army’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property throughout the region.

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