Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have burst another gunrunner-syndicate, in Bokkos Town, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, Plateau state, arresting two of the kingpins.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have burst another gunrunner syndicate, in Bokkos Town, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, Plateau state, arresting two of the kingpins.
Two AK-47 Rifles, one Automatic Pistol, three AK-47 magazines, were recovered in the operation. The suspects, according to the soldiers, have been taken into custody for interrogation with a view to extracting information in order to arrest other members of the syndicate on the run.
The feat comes barely 72 hours after the arrest of five suspected notorious gunrunners leading to the recovery of automatic weapons and about 6,000 rounds of assorted rounds of ammunition at Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area.
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A statement by Major Samson Zhakom, the OPSH public information officer explained: “Operation Safe Haven conducted follow up operations in Bokkos Town, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on 18 September 2024.
“During the intelligence-based sting operations, security agencies busted another criminal syndicate while finalizing transactions for sales of arms and ammunition amounting to Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) at Banana Island Hotel in Bokkos.
“Consequently, 2 notorious gunrunners identified as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict were apprehended.
The troops recovered, two AK-47 Rifles, one Automatic Pistol, three AK-47 magazines.
“The suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation with a view to extracting information in order to arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate on the run.
“The latest arrest of gunrunners and recovery of arms and ammunition from both Jos North and Bokkos LGAs confirms the assertion that criminality is not defined by any ethno-religious boundary
“Criminality is a common enemy that we must jointly tackle to afford law-abiding citizens the freedom to carry out their socio-economic endeavours without fear.
“While it has been proven that the proliferation of firearms is a major driver of security threats, Operation SAFE HAVEN is ever ready in conjunction with other security agencies to clamp down on individuals carrying out this illegal act.
“The good people of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna are please enjoined to continue furnishing security agencies with credible information towards arresting criminal elements in order to ensure a crime-free environment”
