Personnel of the Nigerian Army has arrested 39 suspected criminals terrorising Plateau communities.
According to the Media Information Officer, Captain Oya James of the Operation Safe Haven, the suspects were nabbed for various offences ranging from banditry to kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms as well as recovery of arms and hard drugs in the Joint Operation Area of Operation Hakorin Damisa IV.
In a statement issued by him, he said the operations were carried out in the last two weeks as the suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of OPSH and Three Division Nigerian Army area of responsibility.
A kidnapper and arms dealer was among the suspects caught, as were members of a paramilitary gang suspected of involvement in the raid on the village of Heipang, in which 13 people were slain.
In addition, the forces conducted a sting operation in which they apprehended members of a drug cartel and confiscated a sizable quantity of cocaine from the cartel’s peddlers.
The statement also praised the early warning and distress calls that led to a quick response by OPSH, which saved the lives of 17 kidnapped people, prevented livestock rustling, and repelled attacks on vulnerable communities, particularly in the Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs.
