The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and HADARIN DAJI operating in Plateau, Kaduna and Zamfara, arrested a notorious kidnapper who also engages in armed robbery and cattle rustling.
Also arrested were two (2) rail vandals while one (1) bandit was neutralized in different operations across the aforementioned North Central States.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, a brigadier-general, disclosed this while giving update on military operations across the country between July 25 and 27, on Wednesday, in Abuja.
He said that on 25 July 2022, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested a notorious kidnapper/armed robber and cattle rustler; Mr Zwanlan Fatim – 42yrs at Shendam town, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to him, items recovered from the suspect include; 1 locally made pistol, 5 cartridges, 1 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 mobile phones, 2 Union Bank ATM cards, 1 ID card and assorted charms amongst others.
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In another development, Onyeuko said that on 26 July 2022, troops intercepted Two (2) rail vandals, Mr Abba Abdul – 23 yrs and My Joseph ZI – 26yrs at Bas village, Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He said the vandals were intercepted while conveying Eighty Six (86) railways UIC sleepers in a red Peugeot Boxer vehicle with registration No BAU 05 SX.
Also Onyeuko revealed that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI at the early hours of 27 July 2022 responded to a distress call from Bayi village in Tsefe Local Government Area of banditry activities.
He said troops, after receiving the call trailed the bandits to one Alhaji Bello Dan Iya’s residence and neutralized one of them.
According to him, Items recovered from the bandits include; 1 AK47 rifle, 1 magazine, 4 rounds 7.632mm special, 1 MPs and 1 sachet of marijuana amongst others.
Similarly he said on 25 July 2022, troops engaged one suspected bandit on motorcycle while commuting bush path along Gidan Garba, Magami Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to him, the operation led to the recovery of 1 AK47 rifle and 2 pairs of woodland camouflage.
Source: Defence HQ.
