Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN, under the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, have arrested five notorious gunrunners and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in an intelligence-driven operation in Plateau State.
The raid was part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons in the Joint Operations Area.
The operation, which took place from midnight on September 16 to the early hours of September 17, 2024, targeted a gunrunning syndicate in the Naraguta Mining Area, Bayameni, along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area.
A statement by the Military Public Information Officer for Operation SAFE HEAVEN, Major Stephen Nantip Zhakom, confirmed the arrests and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring peace and security in the region by eliminating illegal arms trafficking.
“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in pursuance of one of its core mandate of mopping up illegal arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area, arrested 5 notorious gunrunners and recovered arms and ammunition in an intelligence-driven operation carried out in Plateau State,” he said.
“The operation commenced from midnight of 16 September 24 to the early hours of 17 September 24. The troops raided the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani at Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State during which the suspected gunrunner and 4 others were arrested. Weapons and ammunition of different calibres were also recovered as listed below:
a. Two AK-47 rifles.
b. One Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle.
c. Fourteen AK-47 magazines.
d. One Fabrique Nationale magazine.
e. 5,316 rounds of 7.62 MM (Special).
f. Ninety-Eight rounds of 7.62 MM (NATO).
g. 43 rounds of 9 MM.
The suspects are undergoing interrogation for useful intelligence to aid in arresting other members of the syndicate as well as decimating the gunrunning supply chain.”
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