Two arrested while trading N5m firearms deal

‪Abdullateef Fowewe‬

‪The troops under Operation SAFE HAVEN, during follow-up operations in Bokkos Area of Plateau State, arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered massive weapons.

The arrest came three days after the arrest of five notorious gunrunners and the recovery of automatic weapons and around 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition along Bauchi Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

‪The suspects according to a statement released on Saturday by the Military Public Information Officer Operation SAFE HAVEN, Samson Zhakom, were arrested while finalising an arms deal worth N5 million. ‬

‪The weapons recovered were two AK-47 rifles, one automatic pistol and three AK-47 magazines.‬

The statement partly reads, “Just 72 hours after the arrest of five notorious gunrunners and the recovery of automatic weapons and around 6,000 rounds of assorted ammunition along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA, Plateau State, on 17 September 2024, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN launched follow-up operations in Bokkos Town, Bokkos LGA, on 18 September 2024. During these intelligence-driven sting operations, security agencies uncovered another criminal syndicate while finalizing an arms deal worth Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) at Banana Island Hotel, Bokkos.

“As a result, two 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 and three AK-47 magazines.”

Zhakom revealed that the suspects are in custody for further investigation to gather additional intelligence and apprehend other members of the gunrunning syndicate.

“The suspects are currently in custody for interrogation, with efforts underway to gather further intelligence and apprehend additional members of the gunrunning syndicate still at large. This latest operation, resulting in the arrests and recovery of arms in both Jos North and Bokkos LGAs, underscores the fact that criminality transcends ethno-religious boundaries.

“Crime is a common enemy that must be addressed collectively to ensure law-abiding citizens can pursue their socio-economic activities without fear. The proliferation of firearms has been identified as a significant driver of insecurity, and Operation SAFE HAVEN, in collaboration with other security agencies remains committed to dismantling such illegal operations.

“Residents of Plateau, Bauchi, and Southern Kaduna are encouraged to continue providing security agencies with credible information to help arrest criminal elements and ensure a safer environment for all,” the statement stressed