Soldiers nab two gunrunners, seize ammunition worth N5m in Plateau

The troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State again on Saturday arrested two more gunrunners while negotiating to sell ammunition amounting to N5m in the Bokkos Local Government area of the state.

This came barely 72 hours after the troops arrested five notorious gunrunners at Bayameni community, along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of the state leading to the recovery of automatic weapons and about 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.

In a statement on Saturday, the spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, said the latest gunrunners were arrested at a hotel in Bokkos LG of the state and were taken into custody.

The statement read, “Barely 72 hours after the arrest of 5 notorious gunrunners leading to the recovery of automatic weapons and about 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition at Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State on 17 September 2024, Operation Safe Haven conducted follow on operations in Bokkos Town, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on 18  September 2024.

“During the intelligence-based sting operations, security agencies busted another criminal syndicate while finalizing transactions for sales of arms and ammunition amounting to Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) at Banana Island Hotel in Bokkos. Consequently, 2 notorious gunrunners identified as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict were apprehended and the following automatic weapons were recovered: Two AK-47 Rifles; One Automatic Pistol; Two AK-47 magazines and One Baretta Pistol Magazine.

“The suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation to extract information to arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate on the run. The latest arrest of gunrunners and recovery of arms and ammunition from both Jos North and Bokkos LGAs confirms the assertion that criminality is not defined by any ethno-religious boundary.”

The statement described criminality as a common enemy that must be jointly tackled to afford law-abiding citizens the freedom to carry out their socio-economic endeavours without fear.

“While it has been proven that the proliferation of firearms is a major 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. For prompt responses to any security threats, our newly activated toll-free line on 08000020203 remains available 24 hours every day and also for the passage of information. Be rest assured we will always act promptly. Thank you all.”