Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly arrested 39 suspected bandits operating in Plateau communities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), James Oya, said the suspects were arrested in one week.
Oya said two suspected members of a militia gang involved in the recent attack on Heipang community in BarkinLadi Local Council were also apprehended.
He added that the gang invaded the community and killed about 21 persons on August 10, and that the troops recovered arms and illicit drugs from the suspects.
“The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of OPSH and the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army’s area of responsibility,” he said. “Two of the suspects had been on our wanted list for their involvement in several armed robberies and kidnappings.
“We recovered one AK-47 rifle, one pump action Magnum gun, one AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ‘special’ ammunition and a mobile phone from the suspects.”
Among the suspects is a kidnapper and arms dealer, who was captured at KubaVillage in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau, he added.
The OPSH spokesperson said the troops, in another operation, arrested seven suspected drug peddlers and rescued 17 abducted persons in various areas of the state.
