Military Rescue 22 kidnapped victims, recover rustles cows in North West– DHQ
By Lazarus Zakaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that, its troops have within the last one week thwarted bandits’ attacks, rescued 22 kidnapped victims and recovered rustled cows in the North – West Theatre.
The coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, updating newsmen on Military engagement on Thursday in various operations across the country in Abuja, said the troops had continued to record credible feat in their quest to rid the zone of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other sundry criminalities
Enenche said that troops also arrested 3 suspected bandits and 2 gunrunners in separate operations while several of the bandits killed in the operations
According to him, items recovered from the criminals in the various operations includes: 1,620 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, One Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,300,000.00), one Pump Action rifle and 3 live cartridges carefully concealed in a bag.
He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition sized from the gunners were to be delivered to one bandit leader, at a location in Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Speaking further, Enenche explained that, in the North-Central zone, troops have continued to sustain intensive clearance operations against armed bandits and other criminals.
He said troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted several raids at various locations in the zone which resulted in appreciable successes.
“Between 17 and 20 September 2020, troops of operation SAFE HAVEN raided suspected SARA SUKA criminals’ hideouts at Jenta Adamu, Rikkos, and Gangare Yan Doya area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The raids were conducted following distress calls on criminal activities in the general area.
“Troops stormed the hideouts and arrested 14 suspects while 12 knives, 4 daggers, 4 mobile phones, two swords, assorted charms, a large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, amongst other illicit drugs were recovered.
” Troops thereafter raided another suspected drug peddlers’ hideout within Barkin Ladi area of Plateau State, where a drug dealer was arrested with a large quantity of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.
” It is noteworthy that the suspect had been on the wanted list of security agencies. All the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.
“In addition, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN on 17 September 2020, commissioned the Rim Primary Healthcare Centre renovated by the Defence Headquarters in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State as part of Civil Military Cooperation activities in the general area.
“Same day the Defence Headquarters medical team in conjunction with Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN medical team conducted a 2-day medical outreach at Makuru Primary School in Ikulu chiefdom of Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Additionally, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN fostered several stakeholders meetings in various parts of Plateau and Kaduna states. Areas covered include: Bokkos, Bassa, Mangu, Jos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State, as well as Jama’a and Zangon-Kataf Local Government Areas of Kaduna State”, Enenche said
