Soldiers attached to Operation Safe Haven in Plataeu State have gunned down three suspected kidnappers, who have been terrorising residents in the state.
The bandits were shot dead around the Gyero community in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Several items including one AK-47 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines, 101 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one tricycle (Keke Napep) were recovered from them.
The Military Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
He said, “Troops of Operation Safe Haven, acting on credible intelligence, have burst and neutralised a notorious gang of a kidnap syndicate in Plateau.
“The syndicate has been on the watchlist of Operation Safe Haven and believed to have masterminded the recent kidnap incidents on the Plateau. The syndicate is also believed to have participated in the Jos prison jailbreak on 28 November 2021.
“The syndicate met its waterloo when troops of Operation Safe Haven tracked them to the Gyero general area where they planned and carried out their nefarious activities.
“The kidnappers on sighting the troops opened fire. Our troops responded with superior firepower resulting in the neutralisation of three notorious kidnappers.
“Items recovered from the syndicate include one AK-47 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines, 101 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one tricycle (Keke Napep).
“Other items recovered include one Itel phone, one Tecno phone, 2 sharp knives and 2 military head warmers.”
