Troops Eliminate Terror Suspects, Recover Rifles in Plateau Crackdown

(Troops of Operation. Photo Credit: Businessday)

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified their offensive against t3rrorist elements in Plateau State, neutralising several suspects in separate operations, arresting a suspected gunrunner and recovering locally fabricated rifles during coordinated security operations across Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas of the state.

The military said the operations, conducted between June 26 and July 1, were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle t3rrorist enclaves, disrupt criminal networks and restore lasting peace within the Joint Operations Area.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, troops of Sector 6 launched an operation on June 26 at Gero Highground in Jos South Local Government Area, following intelligence reports of t3rrorist activities in the area.

The statement said the troops came under heavy gunfire from t3rrorists, who allegedly used livestock as cover during the encounter.

It explained that as the troops approached the highground, they came under fire from the t3rrorists’ hideout, prompting them to hold their position and call for reinforcement, which arrived in time to force the t3rrorists to withdraw from the engagement area.

It added that the troops pursued the fleeing t3rrorists, neutralised some of them, and continued combing the surrounding area to dismantle their hideouts and prevent regrouping.

In a related operation on the same day, troops deployed at Maijanki intercepted a motorcycle conveying two passengers travelling from Kuba District in Bokkos Local Government Area towards Barkin Ladi.

The military said the passengers abandoned a bag and fled into nearby bushes after sighting security personnel at a checkpoint.

A thorough search of the abandoned bag led to the discovery of three locally fabricated rifles, and the motorcycle rider was arrested.

During preliminary interrogation, he reportedly stated that he had picked up the fleeing passengers from Kuba without knowledge of their destination.

The suspect, the recovered firearms and the motorcycle are currently in military custody for further investigation.

In another operation on June 30, troops acting on credible intelligence ambushed suspected t3rrorists gathered in the Rafin Bauna/Gero mountains in Jos South Local Government Area.

The military said five suspected t3rrorists were neutralised during the operation, while others escaped.

According to the statement, a preliminary battle damage assessment, along with information from members of the community, indicated that some of those k!lled had been on the military’s wanted list for allegedly masterminding several att@cks in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.

The military also reported another encounter on the night of July 1, when suspected t3rrorists attempted to infiltrate the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, through a breached section of the perimeter fence under cover of darkness.

The statement said troops on sentry duty immediately engaged the att@ckers after coming under fire, swiftly neutralising one of them while others fled.

The body of the neutralised t3rrorist has been handed over to the police for further necessary action, while arms and ammunition recovered are currently in custody, with troops dominating the area through aggressive patrols.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, Operation Enduring Peace assured residents that troops would sustain aggressive operations aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action across Plateau State, stressing that the Joint Task Force remains unwavering in its determination to deny t3rrorist elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area and reassuring citizens of renewed efforts towards securing lives and property, as well as restoring the desired peace.