Troops arrests 53 in Plateau crackdown on crime, extremist groups

Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended 53 suspected criminals and members of extremist groups during coordinated operations conducted within a 24-hour period in Barkin Ladi and Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The arrests were detailed in operational reports from Operation Ensuring Peace (OPEP), which highlighted a series of targeted raids across the affected areas.

According to the report, personnel of Sector 4 OPEP carried out a raid on a suspected drug den located in Angwan Yama and Kasua communities in Barkin Ladi, leading to the arrest of nine individuals.

Items recovered from the suspects included substances believed to be cannabis sativa, mobile phones, power banks, and other personal effects.

In a separate operation conducted at about 1:30 a.m., troops from Sector 1, working in collaboration with Special Forces and the Department of State Services, apprehended 44 suspected members of the Sara Suka group in multiple locations across Jos North. Various dangerous weapons were also recovered during the operation.

The report further indicated that troops successfully retrieved four cattle earlier stolen from Lugere community in Riyom Local Government Area and returned them to their rightful owner, while efforts are ongoing to track down those responsible for the theft.