The Army said, yesterday, that its troops on counter-insurgency operations recorded a significant breakthrough by the dismantling of a gun-running syndicate that specialises in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North West.
Troops also apprehended a notorious kidnap syndicate and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.
A statement by the army said: “On August 7, 2024, troops working in coordination with other security agencies arrested a notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, in Babinga Kudaru village of Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“This arrest followed an earlier apprehension of another syndicate member on July 31, 2024, by troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos.
“Among the items recovered are AK-47 rifle, AK-47 rifle magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and 49 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.
“In a separate operation, while acting on credible intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested Abubakar Shehu, 25 years, in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.
“Shehu is a member of a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, in Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“Following preliminary investigation, the suspect led troops to Okoka forest in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, eight magazines, one cartridge, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
“In Katsina State, troops laid ambush and neutralised a terrorist at Anguwa Boka in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.
“Items recovered from the terrorists include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, three rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a mobile phone and assorted items.
“The arrest of the notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, and the apprehension of the kidnap syndicate, as well as the elimination of a terrorist alongside the recovery of arms and ammunition, are a veritable testament of the NA’s unflinching commitment in safeguarding our nation from the scourge of terrorism and criminality.”
