July 18, 2024

Following attacks on troops while conducting operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa Village, a follow-on operation was conducted in the district to recover illegal arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons.

According to army in a statement by military information officer, Safe Haven, SN Zhakom on Thursday, this is in line with the core mandate of the operation.

During the operations that lasted for one week, the team arrested 8 suspects and recovered both automatic and locally fabricated weapons as well as different calibres of ammunition from Ratas, Ratoso and Sangasa Villages all in Fann District in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Specifically, the following were recovered during the operation:
a. Twelve AK-47 rifles.
b. Twelve Fabricated AK-47 rifles.
c. Fifteen Dane guns.
d. Fifteen AK-47 magazine.
e. One AK-47 drum magazine having capacity of 75 rounds.
f.Two hundred and fifty rounds of 7.62 mm (Special).
g. Two cartridges.
h. Two bottles of gunpowder.
i. One sword.
j. One complete pair of military woodland camouflage dress.
k. One pair of military combat boot.
l. Two spears.
m. One bow and eight arrows.
n. Seven motorcycles.

The huge recoveries of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons as well as military uniforms from Fann District in just one week further affirms that the district is a criminal enclave.

Hence, the false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons are merely to divert attention from the large cache of weapons in the hands of unauthorized persons in the district.

Let me therefore seize this opportunity to reiterate that 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN will leave no stone unturned in its quest to mop up illegal arms and ammunition within the Joint Operations Area in line with its mandate.

We therefore urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible information that will aid in securing law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.

Also, as part of efforts to arrest criminals complicit in criminal activities in Fann District and environs, the following persons are hereby declared wanted by security agencies:

a.Mr Timothy Zakka Dung also known as Timaya.
b.Mr Sam P
c. Dachun Job
d. Yakubu Ishaku

Any person with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects should kindly contact the closest security outpost

Let me conclude this brief by acknowledging the courageous and brave efforts of Late Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Christopher Luka Agwom who paid the supreme price during the operation to recover arms and ammunition at Sangasa Village on 10 July 2024.

The officer, a Jarawa by tribe, who hails from Risek Community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, was very hardworking and reliable.

He rose to become the Administrative Officer of Sector 4 Operation SAFE HAVEN through his dedication and commitment to duty. The death of the officer has left a vacuum not only to the young widow and 3 children he left behind but to the entire 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN.

The late officer was laid to rest at Rizek Community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday 16 Jul 24. Let me assure you that his sacrifice will not be in vain as we would not be deterred by false propaganda by miscreants and other misguided persons. 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN remain resolute in its drive to rid the entire Joint Operations Area of criminalities.

Recall that a tactical team of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN while conducting operation to recover arms from a gunrunners’ hideout at Sangasa Village in Fann District was attacked in the early hours of 10 July 2024.

During the operation, a member of the team, an immigration officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration CL Agwom, was killed by the criminals.