The troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau state have arrested five notorious gunrunners in the Bayamemi axis of Jos North Local government area, (LGA) of the state.
News About Nigeria reports that the arrest was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region.
Makama said the suspects were nabbed during an overnight operation that was conducted based on credible intelligence.
The publication said the troops carried out the operation on September 17.
Intelligence sources told Makama that the suspects, along with the seized weapons and ammunition, are presently held in military custody for investigation.
“Items recovered from the suspects included; AK-47 Rifles, 1 FN Rifle, 14 AK-47 Magazines, 1 FN Magazine, 5,316 Rounds of 7.62mm (Special) Ammunition 98 Rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) Ammunition, and 43 Rounds of 9.5mm Ammunition among other items,” the publication said.
However, corroborating the development, Major Stephen Zhakom, the Military Public Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the feat is in pursuance of one of its core mandates of mopping up illegal arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area.
According to him, the operation commenced from midnight of 16 Sep to the early hours of 17 Sep 2024.
He said the troops raided the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani at Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni, along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, during which the suspected gunrunner and four others were arrested.
Some of the weapons and ammunition recovered during the operations include two AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle, 14 AK-47 magazines, and one Fabrique Nationale magazine.
