In what can be described as a significant breakthrough, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A have rescued five kidnapped victims, arrested three kidnappers, and intercepted a notorious gunrunner in Kaduna State.
According to Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer of Operation SAFE HAVEN, the troops conducted an intelligence-based operation on March 2, 2025, to rescue the abducted persons at Boto Forest in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State.
“During the operation, troops came in contact with the criminals in the forest and subdued them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee,” Major Zhakom said.
The rescued victims, who have been reunited with their families, include Mr. Abdullahi Saleh, 38, Master Blessed Haruna, 17, Mrs. Mary Nuhu, 32, Mrs. Charity Nuhu, 35, and Mr. Abubakar Wakili, 25.
The troops also arrested three kidnappers, identified as Abubakar Shehu, 30, Mohammed Sani, 20, and Adamu Mohammed, 25, and recovered 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.
In a separate operation on March 3, 2025, troops intercepted a blue-colored OPEL VECTRA Saloon car at Mallagun checkpoint in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State, and recovered one fabricated revolver rifle concealed in a black bag belonging to one Mr. Anthony Elisha, 24, from Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
“The suspect is in custody providing information on his cohorts to aid troops in carrying out follow-up operations to apprehend the civil police personnel and other members of the criminal syndicate,” Major Zhakom said.
Operation SAFE HAVEN has assured the public that it is committed to making its Joint Operations Area safe from criminal elements and urged the general public to continue providing useful and timely information to aid in the restoration of permanent peace to the area.(www.krestnews.com).