Troops Arrest Kidnappers of UNIJOS Students, 89 Other Criminal Suspects And Rescue Victims (Photos)

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Troops Arrest Kidnappers of UNIJOS Students, 89 Other Criminal Suspects And Rescue Victims (Photos)

91 criminal suspects including those who abducted some University of Jos students have been arrested by Nigerian soldiers.

The criminals were apprehended by troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV.

They were arrested in connection with kidnapping, farm destruction, armed robbery, drug peddling, murder and cattle rustling, amongst others. 

The Nigerian Army in a statement on Thursday, October 5, 2023, said two of the suspects, Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman, were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of the University of Jos students. 

According to the statement, the notorious kidnappers; who have been on the wanted list of OPSH, were arrested at Mista Ali village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

“The suspects during interrogation narrated that they were involved in the kidnapping of 7 students of University of Jos (UNIJOS) in July 2023. Items recovered from the suspects include one AK 47 rifle loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special,” the statement reads. 

The statement noted that OPSH arrested the 91 criminals suspects during several operations launched from 25 September to 4 October 2023. 

Troops also rescued four kidnapped victims, including two women, Miss Silva Hassan and Salvation Obadiah at Zangang Hill, Kaura village in Kaduna State. 

Furthermore, the troops also arrested two notorious armed robbers/kidnappers Nasiru Ahmed and Isah Mamuda at Kok village in Barkin Ladi LGA while Manu Sale and Amir Shaba, a notorious robbery syndicates operating along road Barkin Ladi – Mangu in Barkin LGA were also arrested alongside an armed robbery gang leader, Mr Shaibu Abubakar at NTV village in Barkin Ladi LGA. 

Similarly, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Yakubu a.k.a Yellow at Amper checkpoint in Kanam LGA of Plateau State while trying to collect kidnapp ransome. Items recovered from the suspects include 1 cutlass, knife, 2 mobile phones and local charms.

While on mobile operations, troops at Bokkos LGA arrested two suspected cattle rustlers Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ori at Gwandu village in Bokkos LGA. 

The troops also foiled a cattle rustling incident at Maiyanga village in Bassa LGA and rescued 145 cows and handed over to the owners. During the operation, troops recovered 3 rifles, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 3 axes. 

Additionally, 57 cows were detained for grazing on farmlands at Rim village in Riyom LGA. Furthermore, troops thwarted an attempt to kidnap one Hon Magai Peter in his residence at Ruku village in Barkin Ladi LGA and another victim at Jeisey village. 

Troops’ superior fire power during encounter with the kidnappers forced them to abandon their mission and flee. Items recovered included 2 Bajaj Boxers motorcycles. 

Also, 7 farmers were rescued at Jipun village, Pushit district of Mangu LGA from suspected militias while harvesting crops in their farms. However, one prime suspect, Ibrahim Isah was arrested in connection with the incident. 

While at Nimba forest in Riyom LGA, one Bukar Kaigama was rescued from kidnappers by the troops. 

Troops also intercepted a truck carrying 720 bags of Urea fertilizer with fake clearance documents. Four occupants of the truck were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation.

In a similar development, troops also arrested a suspected cultist, Mafeng Gwott at Legislative quarters in Jos North LGA and recovered a pistol loaded with 9mm special ammunition. 

Troops also rescued a motorcycle snatcher from mobs at Gyero junction in Jos South LGA and handed him over to the Nigeria Police Bukuru Division for further action. 

OPSH troops equally arrested two herders in connection with willful destruction of farmland at Gyero general area whilst rescuing a herder, Sani Mahmuda who was earlier declared missing at Kwonga village in Jos East. 

Based on a tip off, troops conducted cordon and search operations in a criminal hideout at Zango Urban area of Unguwan Fulani Baya Dutse in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, 4 pistols, 4 motorcycles, cache of ammunitions and one AK - 47 magazine .

Within the week, OPSH also secured the conviction of 4 suspects; Kabiru Lawal, Sadiq Mohammed Dahiru, Umar Yusuf and Dauda Elkanah for criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving of stolen property. Suspects were sentenced to 1 year 6 months imprisonment each with an option of fine. 

Also, troops arrested a suspect with cannabis sativa at Miango in Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Additionally, 67 persons were arrested in connection to violent activities around Bolari village and 7 locally fabricated rifles were recovered. 

Troops further recovered 3 mobile phones and other valuables items from suspected bandits at Garin Dogo village who fled with gunshot wounds on contact with troops.

In all, a total of 91 arrests were effected, 7 suspected kidnappers, 6 suspected armed robbers, 2 cattle rustlers arrested while 4 victims were rescued from kidnappers and 5 attacks on vulnerable communities deterred and 2 kidnap attempts thwarted. Troops also responded promptly to a total of 24 distress calls.

The Commander OPSH, Major General AE Abubakar appreciates the good people of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna for the cooperation so far enjoyed and urges citizens to continually provide actionable information to troops, as they work tenaciously to protect lives and property. 

He assured the general public that the arrested suspects would be charged to court immediately investigations were concluded.