By Abigail Philip David
Troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State have dismantled a notorious kidnappers’ den in Bassa Local Government Area, arresting a suspected kingpin, Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman.
The operation, carried out in the Rafiki community, also led to the arrest of Musa’s accomplice, Mallam Alhassan Samaila, and the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition hidden in the hideout.
Major Samson Zhakom, spokesman for the Military Taskforce, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, highlighting that the raid was part of ongoing efforts to ensure a secure harvest season and peaceful yuletide in Plateau and surrounding areas.
The statement read:
“In continuation of robust efforts to ensure a secure harvest and peaceful yuletide celebrations in the Joint Operations Area, as directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. OO Oluyede, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN on Operation GOLDEN PEACE conducted an intelligence-based raid on identified criminal hideouts in the Rafiki General Area of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, with positive outcomes, including the capture of a notorious kidnap kingpin and recovery of a cache of ammunition on December 10, 2024.”
During the operation, the troops apprehended Mohammed Musa, alias Mamman, along with his associate, Mallam Alhassan Samaila. A search of their hideout uncovered 439 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed inside a four-litre engine oil container.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been using their guise as transporters to smuggle ammunition to bandits operating across Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara states.
“The arrested suspects are making useful confessions, and security agencies are conducting follow-up operations to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate and recover additional arms and ammunition,” Zhakom added.
The task force emphasized its dedication to safeguarding lives and property in the region, attributing their recent successes to critical combat enablers deployed by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff.
The statement also urged the public to support security agencies with timely intelligence to help eradicate criminal activities in the area.
“Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely intelligence to facilitate the eradication of criminalities within the Joint Operations Area,” Zhakom said.
Further details, including photos from the operation, were made available.
