Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4 (Sub-Sector 41) under Operation Safe Haven have arrested four suspected criminals during a raid operation on an identified hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2115 hrs on April 18 at the NTV Mazat area in Gashish District, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminal elements in the locality.

During the raid, troops stormed the location and apprehended four suspects identified as Aaron Joshua, 21; Ernest David, 21; Ishaya Haruna, 19; and Kyenshak Yakubu, 28.

It was gathered that the suspects were involved in several atrocities and part of the wider network of youths causing havoc in several communities.

The suspects were reportedly taken into custody and subjected to preliminary profiling as part of ongoing investigations to determine their involvement in criminal activities within the area.

Security sources said the raid was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of action in the general area.

Troops arrest four Berom criminal youths involved in causing havoc in Barkin Ladi LGA

Troops rescue 13 abducted Benue Links passengers, including students en route to sit for JAMB

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road.

Zagazola report that the victims were among 17 passengers kidnapped on April 15 while travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo in Benue State. Three of the victims had earlier escaped from captivity, bringing the total number of those now safe to 16.

According to security sources, the rescue was achieved at about 190320A April 19 during a sustained search-and-rescue operation conducted by troops of Sub-Sector 1B, OPWS, in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The victims were located and rescued in a forested area around Okete Ward, behind the Idoma Doctors Forum building, following intensive tracking and exploitation of intelligence on the kidnappers’ movement.

Security sources further clarified that the perpetrators were local criminal elements in Benue and not Fulani bandits as initially speculated in some quarters. The attack was however, hastily attributed to external groups without proper verification.

“The operation was carried out professionally, leading to the safe recovery of 13 victims. Preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrators are criminal elements from within the state and not external armed groups as widely speculated,” the source said.

Those rescued include Hycent Oko (56), Elaiguli Joshua (25), Orili Raphael (29), Sunday Augustine (18), Emmanuel Elaicha (21), Gbile Nguyor Daniel (18), Ukacha Tersoo (18), Nyikwagh Aoridakator (22), Iornav Ngukuhan (18), Nyikwagh Benjamin (18), Buker Agatha (19), Paul Wende (29) and Akor Jessica (19).

The victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Otukpo, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Some of them sustained varying degrees of injuries during their captivity.

Further checks revealed that eight of the rescued passengers were students en route to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations at the time they were abducted, a development that underscores the disruptive impact of criminal activities on education and civil life.

The incident illustrated a growing trend of internally driven criminality, where local elements exploit familiar terrain and community networks to carry out abductions.

“This case clearly shows that not all security incidents should be viewed through ethnic or external lenses. Addressing insecurity requires acknowledging the role of local criminal networks and strengthening community cooperation with security agencies,” the source added.

Troops have since intensified operations in the general area to track down the perpetrators and rescue the remaining victim still in captivity.

Military high command reiterated their commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements across Benue and adjoining states, while urging residents to provide credible information that could aid ongoing operations.

They also reassured commuters and residents of continued efforts to secure major routes and restore confidence in public transportation across the state.

Troops rescue 13 abducted Benue Links passengers, including students en route to sit for JAMB

Hamza Suleiman NAN: Troops recover ammunition during patrol in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered a cache of ammunition during a fighting patrol in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 7:30 a.m. on April 18 by troops of 68 Battalion deployed in the area.

The patrol was carried out ahead of the troops’ defensive location toward a suspected withdrawal route used by insurgents following an earlier attack on March 18.

During the operation, troops recovered 166 rounds of PKT linked ammunition and one bandolier.

No contact was made with any terrorist elements during the patrol.

They added that the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops continue to maintain high morale and operational effectiveness.

Hamza Suleiman NAN: Troops recover ammunition during patrol in Borno