Troops of 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven have arrested two notorious gunrunners, Yahaya Adamu and Saeedu Haruna, during a series of intelligence-led operations in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The arrests, made between May 10 and 11, 2025, led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and an ITEL phone from the suspects.
Spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, Samson Zhakom, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, May 11.
He said intelligence revealed the suspects and their syndicate were behind a spate of violent crimes in Plateau and parts of Kaduna State, specifically Gashish and Kurra Falls in Plateau, and Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna.
“Troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN supported by an Intelligence Agency conducted an intelligence-based operation in the early hours of 11 May 2025, at Marit Mazat in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State,” Zhakom stated.
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He explained that the raid followed the arrest of Yahaya Adamu, identified as a gunrunner and kidnapper, at Barakin Gangare on May 10.
“During the follow-up operations, troops arrested a notorious gunrunner/kidnapper, Mr Saeedu Haruna and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and one ITEL phone,” the statement added.
Zhakom disclosed that both suspects are now in custody and are making useful confessions. He said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the rest of the syndicate and recover more weapons.
He also commended residents for aiding the military with information and urged them to keep supporting the troops.
“Operation SAFE HAVEN lauds the unique cooperation of the populace in ensuring criminal hideouts are exposed to security agencies.
“We encourage that more credible information should be provided to own troops as they strive to hunt down non-state actors, while also protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area,” the statement added.