An attempt by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to set up operational sites in the Plateau and Bauchi States has been thwarted by troops participating in Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
Two suspected ISWAP members were captured on April 11 during a sting operation in the Yelwa neighbourhood of the Shendam Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, according to a statement released on Sunday, April 13 by OPSH Spokesperson Samson Zhakom.
The suspects, Ubaidu Hassan and Abdulkadir Dalhatu, both 25 years old, were allegedly working covertly to increase ISWAP’s presence in the North-Central area while posing as tailors. They were dispatched by an ISWAP commander to establish new cells in the two states, according to preliminary investigations.
In a separate operation, troops from Sector 4 OPSH also raided the hideout of a wanted criminal in Mazat village, Barkin Ladi LGA.
Although the suspect escaped, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and other items buried within the building.
Elsewhere, troops from Sector 2, acting on credible intelligence, laid an ambush for bandits along the Pinau-Bangalala Road in Wase LGA. One bandit was killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck the Zogu community in Miango District, Bassa LGA, as terrorists launched an early morning attack on Saturday, killing a man and his two sons.
According to the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), the victims were identified as 56-year-old Weyi Gebeh and his sons, Zhu (25) and Henry (16).
Reacting to the killings, IDA’s spokesperson, Jugo, said: “The way criminal elements invade our motherland and kill with impunity seems to suggest a more sinister motive than mere reprisal for alleged wrongs.
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“IDA therefore calls on the Plateau State government and security agencies to take urgent action and end the slaughter of innocent people in Irigwe land.”