Defense Headquarters says Operation Safe Haven troops have maintained a crackdown on criminal elements and ensured a smooth and peaceful Sallah celebration within their area of responsibility.
Defense Media Operations Director Bernard Onyeuko, a Major General, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said troops had detained two notorious kidnappers, Abdulrazaq Umar and Idris Abdullahi, in Heipang, Barkin Ladi local government area, Plateau state, on July 7 and 8.
He said the operation was carried out in conjunction with the police.
It added that the suspects confessed to carrying out various kidnapping activities in Plateau and Bauchi states, including the murder of Saleh Abdulhamid (Shaba) in Ex Land Village on June 22.
Onyeuko said that they also revealed that Buhari Umar was the leader of the gang.
According to him, while on their way to the criminals’ hideout, the suspects tried to escape and were killed.
Mr. Onyeuko added that on July 9, troops raided Mailafia, Nisama, Dogon Filli and Gidan Waya, all in the Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state.
He said two armed robbers: George Yakubu, 26; and George Joseph, 25, were detained during the operation.
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According to him, the items recovered from the suspects include three AK-47 rifles, a knife, a hoe, a cutter and a wrench, among others.
“Furthermore, on the same day, troops responded to a distress call that armed men attacked a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number LFA 322 YR Nasarawa in Dogon Filli village.
“Troops were mobilized to the place and rescued nine passengers who were kidnapped.
“The military high command commends the Operation Safe Haven troops for their efforts and encourages the general public to provide troops with credible and timely information about criminal activity,” he said.
(YAYA)