By Kolawole Ojebisi
Nigeria military has revealed how troops under Operation Safe Haven thwarted a plot by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to establish operational bases in Plateau and Bauchi states.
A statement issued on Sunday by OPSH’s media officer, Major Samson Zhakom, narrated how the feat was achieved.
According to the statement, the two suspected ISWAP members were arrested during a sting operation on April 11 around the Yelwa area in the Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“The suspects, identified as 25-year-olds Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, were said to be operating under the cover of tailoring to secretly facilitate ISWAP’s expansion into the North-Central states.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the duo were sent by an ISWAP commander to set up new cells in Plateau and Bauchi” the statement reads.
In a related operation, troops of Sector 4 OPSH revealed how they stormed the hideout of a wanted criminal in Mazat village, the Barkin Ladi LGA.
“Although the suspect escaped before their arrival, the soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and other items buried in the building.” the statement added.
Separately, troops from Sector 2, acting on credible intelligence, laid an ambush for bandits along the Pinau-Bangalala road in Wase LGA, where one bandit was neutralised and others fled with injuries.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck the Zogu community in Miango District of Bassa LGA after terrorists reportedly killed a man and his two sons in an early morning attack on Saturday.
The victims were identified by the Irigwe Development Association as 56-year-old Weyi Gebeh and his sons, Zhu (25) and Henry (16).
“The way criminal elements invade our motherland and kill with impunity seems to suggest a more sinister motive than mere reprisal for alleged wrongs.
“IDA therefore calls on the Plateau State government and the security to do the needful and stop the killing of innocent people in Irigwe land.” the statement concluded.
