A kidnappers’ den in Bassa County, about 16 miles from Jos, the capital city of Plateau State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of a notorious kingpin, Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman, and his accomplice, Mallam Alhassan Samaila.
Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for the military task force codenamed “Operation Safe Haven”, confirmed the operation in a statement on Wednesday. He said the raid, carried out in the Rafiki community, was part of efforts to ensure a safe harvest season and peaceful yuletide celebrations in Plateau State.
Zhakom said investigations revealed that Musa and Samaila posed as transporters to smuggle weapons to bandits in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara States. During the operation on December 10, 439 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were found hidden in a four-litre engine oil container.
“The arrested suspects are making useful confessions,” Zhakom added, noting that follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other syndicate members and recover more arms.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
