# Tags

TROOPS RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, ARREST KIDNAPPERS, RECOVER WEAPONS AND RANSOM MONEY IN KADUNA STATE

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have rescued five kidnapped victims and arrested three kidnappers in Kaduna State. The operation, which was conducted on March 2, 2025, was part of the recently launched Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A. According to reports, troops made contact with the kidnappers in Boto Forest, Zangon Kataf LGA, and subdued them with superior firepower. The kidnappers were forced to abandon their victims and flee. The rescued victims, who were debriefed and reunited with their families, included Mr. Abdullahi Saleh, 38; Master Blessed Haruna, 17; Mrs. Mary Nuhu, 32; Mrs. Charity Nuhu, 35; and Mr. Abubakar Wakili, 25. Troops also arrested three kidnappers, identified as Mr. Abubakar Shehu, 30; Mr. Mohammed Sani, 20; and Mr. Adamu Mohammed, 25. The suspects are currently in custody, making useful confessions to aid troops in follow-up operations. The operation also led to the recovery of one fabricated revolver rifle, 9 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 2 mobile phones, 2 machetes, 32 rustled cows, and a cash sum of N521,000 suspected to be ransom money. One of the rescued victims, who sustained machete cut injuries, was evacuated to the hospital for treatment. The successful operation is a significant milestone in the efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry in Kaduna State.

TROOPS OF OPERATION SAFE HAVEN NEUTRALISE NOTORIOUS KIDNAPPERS, RESCUE VICTIMS AND RECOVER WEAPONS

Troops of Operation Safe Haven have successfully rescued four kidnapped victims and neutralized two notorious kidnappers in an encounter along the Kafanchan-Kwoi road in Kaduna. The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 7 Command of Operation Safe Haven under the command of Major-General Folusho Oyinlola, the General Officer Commanding the Third Armoured Division in Jos, Plateau State. According to reports, the troops received a distress call on February 14, 2025, at about 2030 hours, regarding the kidnapping of some passengers along the Kafanchan-Kwoi road at Afana Daji Village in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The troops immediately mobilized to the area and conducted search operations, leading to the rescue of one of the victims with a gunshot wound. Based on credible intelligence, the troops conducted further offensive operations around Angwan Rimi Forest in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on February 15, 2025, at about 1600 hours. During the encounter, the troops neutralized two of the kidnappers and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, 8 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), 10 mobile phones, foodstuffs, and a cash sum of One Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Naira (#1,136,000.00) only. The rescued victims have been identified as Mathew Ayemowa, Tunde Salam, and Mustapha Mohammed. Troops are currently dominating the general area with mobile patrols to ensure the safety of the residents.

TROOPS CAPTURE NOTORIOUS GUNRUNNERS, RECOVER ARMS AND AMMUNITION IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on Operation Golden Peace, have arrested a notorious gunrunner, Mr. Timothy Yusuf, 62, and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The operation was carried out following intelligence provided by the Air Intelligence Unit in Abuja. During the operation, the troops recovered 11 fabricated AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-47 magazines, and 60 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. The suspect and the recovered arms and ammunition are currently in custody for further action, while efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate. The troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory, according to the Special Situation Report (SITREP) from Operation Golden Peace. This operation is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.