Troops of “Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)” in an intelligence-based sting operation have busted another criminal syndicate while finalising transactions for the sale of arms and ammunition amounting to N5 million in a hotel in Bokkos local government area of Plateau State.
This came barely 72 hours after the arrest of five suspected gunrunners leading to the recovery of automatic weapons and about 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition at Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North.
OPSH in a statement issued in Jos by the media officer, Major Samson Zhakom, said two suspected gunrunners identified as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict were arrested while two AK-47 rifles, one automatic pistol, two AK-47 magazines and one Baretta pistol magazine were seized from them.
According to the statement, the suspects had been taken into custody for interrogation to arrest other members of the syndicate who are on the run.
It said the latest arrest confirmed the assertion that criminality is not defined by any ethno-religious boundary.
The media officer further added that criminality is a common enemy that must be jointly tackled.
He stressed that while it had been proven that the proliferation of firearms is a significant driver of security threats, Operation SAFE HAVEN is ever ready in conjunction with other security agencies to clamp down on individuals carrying out this illegal act.
“The good people of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna are please enjoined to continue furnishing security agencies with credible information towards arresting criminal elements to ensure a crime-free environment,” the statement said.
It added that for prompt response to any security threat, a new activated toll-free line, 08000020203 remains available 24 hours for passage of information while assuring that they would always act promptly.
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