On Saturday, the soldiers of Plateau State’s Operation Safe Haven apprehended two gunrunners during negotiations to sell ammunition valued at N5 million in the state’s Bokkos Local Government area.
This occurred just 72 hours after the state’s troops apprehended five infamous gunrunners at the Bayameni community on Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA, which resulted in the seizure of automatic firearms and approximately 6,000 rounds of various ammunition.
The most recent gunrunners were apprehended in a hotel in the state’s Bokkos LG and placed under prison, according to a statement released on Saturday by Major Samson Zhakom, the spokesman for Operation Safe Haven.
“Barely 72 hours after the arrest of 5 notorious gunrunners leading to the recovery of automatic weapons and about 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition at Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State on 17 September 2024, Operation Safe Haven conducted follow on operations in Bokkos Town, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State on 18 September 2024.
“During the intelligence-based sting operations, security agencies busted another criminal syndicate while finalizing transactions for sales of arms and ammunition amounting to Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) at Banana Island Hotel in Bokkos. Consequently, 2 notorious gunrunners identified as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict were apprehended and the following automatic weapons were recovered: Two AK-47 Rifles; One Automatic Pistol; Two AK-47 magazines and One Baretta Pistol Magazine.
“The suspects have been taken into custody for interrogation to extract information to arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate on the run. The latest arrest of gunrunners and recovery of arms and ammunition from both Jos North and Bokkos LGAs confirms the assertion that criminality is not defined by any ethno-religious boundary,” the statement read.
According to the statement, criminality is a shared adversary that needs to be defeated in order to give law-abiding persons the opportunity to pursue their socioeconomic goals without fear.
“While it has been proven that the proliferation of firearms is a major driver of security threats, Operation SAFE HAVEN is ever ready in conjunction with other security agencies to clamp down on individuals carrying out this illegal act.
“The good people of Plateau, Bauchi and Southern Kaduna are please enjoined to continue furnishing security agencies with credible information towards arresting criminal elements to ensure a crime-free environment. For prompt responses to any security threats, our newly activated toll-free line on 08000020203 remains available 24 hours every day and also for the passage of information. Be rest assured we will always act promptly. Thank you all.”
