Troops Arrest Eight Suspects, Retrieves Arms Cache In Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested eight suspected criminals and recovered a cache of arms, and ammunition during follow-on operations conducted in Fann district, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Military Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven, Major SN Zhakom, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, July 18, 2024, said an Immigration officer, CL Agwom, was k!lled during the initial operation conducted in a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa village in Fann District in the early hours of July 10.

The statement noted that a mop-up operation, which was conducted in conjunction with operatives from the 3 Armoured Division Rukuba Jos, was to recover the illegal arms and ammunition.

“It would be recalled that a tactical team of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN while conducting an operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa Village in Fann District was attacked in the early hours of 10 July 2024,” the statement read.

“During the operation, a member of the team, an immigration officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration CL Agwom, was k!lled by the criminals.

“Following the incident, troops conducted follow-on operation in the district to recover illegal arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons inline with the core mandate of the operation.

“During the operations that lasted for one week, the team arrested 8 suspects and recovered both automatic and locally fabricated weapons as well as different calibers of ammunition from Ratas, Ratoso and Sangasa Villages all in Fann District in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State..”

Specifically, the following were recovered during the operation:

a. Twelve AK-47 rifles.
b. Twelve Fabricated AK-47 rifles.
c. Fifteen Dane guns.
d. Fifteen AK-47 magazine.
e. One AK-47 drum magazine having capacity of 75 rounds.
f. Two hundred and fifty rounds of 7.62 mm (Special).
g. Two cartridges.
h. Two bottles of gunpowder.
i. One sword.
j. One complete pair of military woodland camouflage dress.
k. One pair of military combat boot.
l. Two spears.
m. One bow and eight arrows.
n. Seven motorcycles.

“The huge recoveries of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons as well as military uniforms from Fann District in just one week further affirms that the district is a criminal enclave.

“Hence, the false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons are merely to divert attention from the large cache of weapons in the hands of unauthorized persons in the district

“Let me therefore seize this opportunity to reiterate that 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN will leave no stone unturned in its quest to mop up illegal arms and ammunition within the Joint Operations Area in line with its mandate.

“We therefore urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible information that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.

“Also, as part of efforts to arrest criminals complicit in criminal activities in Fann District and environs, the following persons are hereby declared wanted by security agencies:
a. Mr Timothy Zakka Dung also known as Timaya.
b. Mr Sam P
c. Dachun Job
d. Yakubu Ishaku

“Any person with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects should kindly contact the closest security outpost

“Let me conclude this brief by acknowledging the courageous and brave efforts of Late Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Christopher Luka Agwom who paid the supreme price during the operation to recover arms and ammunition at Sangasa Village on 10 July 2024.

“The officer, a Jarawa by tribe, who hails from Risek Community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, was very hardworking and reliable. He rose to become the Administrative Officer of Sector 4 Operation SAFE HAVEN through his dedication and commitment to duty

“The death of the officer has left a vacuum not only to the young widow and 3 children he left behind but to the entire 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN.

“The late officer was laid to rest at Rizek Community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday 16 Jul 24. Let me assure you that his sacrifice will not be in vain as we would not be deterred by false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons. 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN remain resolute in its drive to rid the entire Joint Operations Area of criminalities.