Insurgency: Scores As Troops Rescue Nine Travellers From Kidnappers

Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed reports,

Two notorious kidnappers have been killed by troops of Operation Safe Haven who also rescued nine travellers at Beco Junction Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.

According to Major General Benard Onyeuko, the Director of the Defence Media Operations, he explained that the soldiers took the feats in operations conducted along with other security operatives between Thursday and Saturday last week.

During the operation, he made it known that the troops arrested two suspected armed robbers identified as George Yakubu and George Joseph. Some of the items recovered from the suspects include three fabricated AK 47 riffles, a knife, a cutting hoe, a cutter, and a spanner.

He added that it is all in a bid to sustain efforts at ensuring a hitch-free and peaceful Sallah celebration.

The two kidnappers who were killed after they tried to escape after being arrested, reportedly named one Mallam Buhari Umar as the leader of the gang.

Onyeuko said; “Notably on 7 and 8 July 2022, troops of Operation Safe Haven, in conjunction with Plateau State Police Command, arrested two notorious kidnappers, Abdulrazaq Umar and Idris Abdullahi, at Beco Junction Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State”.

Track News Nigeria learnt that suspects confessed to have carried out several kidnapping activities within Plateau and Bauchi States, including the murder of Alhaji Saleh Abdulhamid (Shaba) at Ex-Land Village on 22 Jun 22.“

Meanwhile, while enroute the criminals’ hideout, the suspects attempted to escape and were neutralised.” Troops also conducted a raid operation at Mailafia, Nisama, Dogon Filli and Gidan Waya – all in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

He added: “Also, on the same day, troops responded to a distress call that gunmen have attacked a Toyota Hummer bus with registration number ‘LFA 322 YR Nasarawa’ at Dogon Filli village in Jema’a LGA.“

The High Command of the military thanked and encouraged the general public to avail troops with credible and genuine information on criminal activities.