Troops of 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven have rescued 18 kidnapped victims and arrested several other criminal elements including 10 bandits in Plateau and Taraba States.
Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, Major Zhakom who made this known at a press conference in Plateau state this Thursday said the operations focused on the borders between Plateau and Taraba States, particularly around Bangalala and Kinishi Forests in the past two months.
Zhakom said the success of the operation led to the neutralization of several bandits, the destruction of their life support structures, and the recovery of several arms and ammunition from the suspects.
He said the rescued victims, who have been reunited with their families, include 62-year-old Hassan Janyu from Mashinga Kirya in Karim Lamido LG of Taraba State and 71-year-old Baba Sale from Lamawa in Wase LGA of Plateau State.
Zhakom noted that in addition to the rescue operations, troops have also captured several bandits, including a notorious kidnap kingpin, Musa Abubakar (AKA Haburuwa), who confessed to being responsible for kidnappings in Bassa and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State.
Other successes recorded by the troops include the capture of a notorious gunrunner, Mosaje, who coordinated the supply of weapons to a criminal syndicate, and the recovery of various arms and ammunition.