By Isreal Adamu, Jos
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), deployed to restore law and order in Plateau, as well as parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have arrested five notorious gunrunners in the Naraguta mining area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Parading the suspects on Tuesday at the OPSH headquarters in Jos, Major Stephen Zhakom, the spokesperson for the operation, reported that the troops also recovered arms and ammunition during the operation.
“In line with our core mandate to mop up illegal arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area, troops arrested five notorious gunrunners and recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition in an intelligence-driven operation in Plateau State,” Major Zhakom said.
The operation, which took place from midnight on September 16 to the early hours of September 17, involved a raid on the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani in the Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni, along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA.
“During the operation, troops arrested the suspected gunrunner and four others, and seized various weapons and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle, fourteen AK-47 magazines, one Fabrique Nationale magazine, 5,316 rounds of 7.62 MM (Special), ninety-eight rounds of 7.62 MM (NATO), and 43 rounds of 9 MM,” the spokesperson added.
Major Zhakom further stated that the suspects are currently being interrogated to aid in the arrest of additional syndicate members.
He commended the people of Plateau State for providing credible information that led to the arrest of the gunrunners and the recovery of arms and ammunition. He urged the community to continue cooperating with security agencies to ensure a crime-free environment.
