Troops arrest 2 notorious kidnap kingpins in Plateau, recover 439 rounds of ammunition concealed inside engine oil gallon

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 -Troops of 3 DIVISION/Operation Safe Haven raided identified criminal hideouts at Rafiki in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State and captured two notorious kidnap kingpins.

Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Military Information Officer, Operation SAFE HAVEN, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 said the operation led to the recovery of 439 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition concealed in a 4-litres engine oil gallon. 

According to the spokesperson, the targeted suspect, Mohammed Musa also known as Mamman was arrested alongside his collaborator, Mallam Alhassan Samaila during the operation. 

“In continuation of robust efforts to ensure secure harvest and peaceful yuletide celebration in the Joint Operations Area as directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede NAM, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN on Operation GOLDEN PEACE conducted intelligence based raid at identified criminal hideouts at Rafiki General Area in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State with positive outcomes including capture of notorious kidnap kingpins and recovery of cache of ammunition on 10 December 2024,” the statement read. 

"During the operation, security agencies captured the target identified as Mohammed Musa also known as Mamman alongside his collaborator, Mallam Alhassan Samaila. 

"A thorough search at the hideout of the kidnap kingpin led to the recovery of 439 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition carefully concealed in a 4-litres engine oil gallon. 

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects disguise as transporters to convey cache ammunition to bandits in Plateau, Kaduna and Zamfara States. 

"Arrested suspects are making useful confessions while security agencies are currently conducting follow-on operations to capture other members of the criminal syndicate as well as recover their arms and ammunition.

"3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN is totally committed to ensuring the security of lives and property within the Joint Operations Area in line with operational mandates of Operation GOLDEN PEACE with additional critical combat enablers recently deployed by the CDS and COAS to further enhance operations especially on the Plateau. 

“Well-meaning members of the public are please enjoined support security agencies with timely intelligence to aid in ridding the Joint Operations Area of criminalities.”