Troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State have arrested some bandits including arms couriers and gunrunners.
The arrests were made after the raid of a forest occupied by bandits in Qaapan Local Government Area.
Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, Samson Zhakom confirmed the development in a statement on Monday.
He said that the troops also recovered several weapons from the forest and the neighbouring Kaduna State during the operation which lasted one week,
According to Zhakom, during the operation at Pandam forest in Qua’anpan, troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 AK-47 magazines and 75 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
He said two gunrunners were also arrested by the troops after they were tracked down along Abuja-Riyom road and Manchok in Kaduna state.
He said the suspect was arrested while on his way to supply 35 AK-47 magazines to another gunrunner who, unknown to the first gunrunner, had earlier been tracked and arrested in Kano State on 20 June, 2024. “Further information obtained from the arrested suspect led to the immediate arrest of the major arms supplier at Manchok in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna while making efforts to receive the 35 AK-47 magazines from the first gunrunner for onward delivery to bandits in Zamfara State.
“Troops proceeded for a search operation in the home of the major gunrunner and recovered the 35 AK-47 magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 3 Bajaj motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and items suspected to be local charms.”
He applauded the public for furnishing security agencies with credible information leading to the massive recovery of the weapons and urged the people to continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a crime-free environment.
