Nigerian Army recovers large cache of weapons in Plateau State, 8 suspects arrested

The Nigerian military has announced the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition during a follow-on operations carried out by 3 division/operation Safe Haven at the FANN district in Barkin Ladi LLGA of Plateau State.

This was announced on the X by Major SN Zhakom, Military Information Officer, Operation Safe Haven on 17 July 2024.

According to the statement, a tactical team from the Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN was attacked on July 10, 2024, while conducting an operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout in Sangasa Village, Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zhakom said Assistant Superintendent of Immigration CL Agwom was tragically killed by the criminals during the operation.

He stated that the troops responded immediately by conducting a follow-on operation in the district, targeting the recovery of illegal arms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons in line with the core mandate of the operation.

Over the course of a week, eight suspects were arrested, and a substantial cache of weapons was recovered from Ratas, Ratoso, and Sangasa Villages in Fann District.

The following items were recovered during the operation:

Twelve AK-47 rifles, 12 fabricated AK-47 rifles, 15 Dane guns, 15 AK-47 magazines, one AK-47 drum magazine with a capacity of 75 rounds, two hundred and fifty rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), two cartridges, two bottles of gunpowder, one sword, one complete pair of military woodland camouflage dress, one pair of military combat boots, two spears, one bow and eight arrows and seven motorcycles.

Zhakom said the significant recovery of arms, ammunition, and military uniforms from Fann District proves that the area has become a criminal enclave, adding that miscreants and other misguided persons have propagated false information to divert attention from the large cache of weapons held by unauthorized persons in the district.

He reiterated that Operation Safe Haven remains committed to mopping up illegal arms and ammunition within the Joint Operations Area.

“We urge the public to collaborate with security agencies and provide credible information that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens,” the statement read.

The statement added that the following persons have been declared wanted as part of efforts to arrest criminals complicit in activities in Fann District and its environs:

Mr. Timothy Zakka Dung, also known as Timaya, Mr. Sam P Dachun and Job Yakubu Ishaku

The army there appealed to anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of these suspects to contact the nearest security outpost.

“We acknowledge the courageous efforts of the late Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Christopher Luka Agwom, who paid the supreme price during the operation on July 10, 2024.”