Troops kill suspected bandit, arrest gunrunner in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a security task force maintaining peace in Plateau State, have killed a suspected bandit during an operation between Tulus and Hokk communities of Bokkos Local Government Area of the state. Spokesman of the operation, Major Samson Zhakom, told journalists in Jos that the bandit was killed following an offensive […]

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a security task force maintaining peace in Plateau State, have killed a suspected bandit during an operation between Tulus and Hokk communities of Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman of the operation, Major Samson Zhakom, told journalists in Jos that the bandit was killed following an offensive operation at the mountainous areas of Tulus and Hokk communities.

He said, “During the operation, troops made contact with armed militias at Hokk community, overwhelmed the criminals with superior firefight and neutralised one of the bandits while others fled into the surrounding bushes. Troops exploited the area but no further contact was made with the criminals.”

In a related development, the command also paraded a suspected gunrunner and recovered arms and ammunition in the Joa area of Bokkos LGA.

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According to Zhakom, “At about 5.45pm on the same day, based on credible intelligence on the movement of arms and ammunition by the suspected gunrunners in the Joa area, troops mounted snap check points along their suspected routes at Mangar in Daffo district of Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.

“During the operation, troops intercepted a suspected gunrunner while conveying concealed arms and ammunition on a motorcycle. A thorough search on the arrested suspect led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, one motorcycle, two mobile phones, one clothing material and cash sum of N400,” he said.

He said the suspect and the recovered items were in custody while efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other members of the syndicate.