Troops of Operation Safe Haven have arrested two more notorious gunrunners and recovered automatic weapons during a follow-up operation in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This follows the arrest of five gunrunners in Jos North LGA just 72 hours earlier, on September 17, 2024.
On September 18, 2024, during an intelligence-driven operation at Banana Island Hotel in Bokkos, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested two more notorious gunrunners, Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict, while they were finalizing an arms deal worth N5 million. The suspects were caught with two AK-47 rifles, one automatic pistol, and three AK-47 magazines.
Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the Military Public Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, displayed the suspects and seized weapons on September 20, 2024, at the operation’s headquarters.
He reaffirmed the operation’s commitment to combating illegal arms proliferation, which continues to fuel insecurity in the region.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as security agencies aim to dismantle the wider gunrunning syndicate.
Authorities are also working to apprehend other members of the group who remain at large.
This arrest comes just after the recovery of 6,000 rounds of ammunition in Jos North, further emphasizing Operation Safe Haven’s efforts in tackling arms trafficking and criminal activities.
Major Zhakom highlighted that criminality transcends ethnic and religious lines and called on citizens to unite against this common threat to restore peace and security.
He reassured the public that Operation Safe Haven, in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to crack down on gunrunners and criminal elements. He urged citizens in Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna to provide credible information to assist in maintaining a safer environment.