Nigerian Military Recovers Weapons Cache in Plateau State Operation.

On July 17, 2024, Major SN Zhakom, Military Information Officer for Operation Safe Haven, announced that 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven in the FANN district of Barkin Ladi LLGA in Plateau State recovered a significant stockpile of weapons and ammunition as part of a follow-up operation.

The statement detailed that a tactical unit from Operation Safe Haven was ambushed on July 10, 2024, during an operation to retrieve weapons from a gunrunners' hideout in Sangasa Village, Fann District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Tragically, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration CL Agwom lost his life during the ambush.

Following the incident, the military launched a subsequent operation aimed at recovering illicit firearms, ammunition, and other lethal weaponry from the district. Within a week, a substantial cache of weapons was discovered in Ratas, Ratoso, and Sangasa Villages of Fann District. Eight individuals were apprehended during the operations.

The recovered items included twelve AK-47 rifles, twelve fabricated AK-47 rifles, fifteen Dane guns, fifteen AK-47 magazines, one AK-47 drum magazine with a capacity of 75 rounds, 250 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special), two cartridges, two bottles of gunpowder, one sword, one set of military woodland camouflage dress, one pair of military combat boots, two spears, one bow and eight arrows, and seven motorcycles.

Major Zhakom emphasized that the significant recovery demonstrated that the Fann District had become a criminal enclave, despite attempts by miscreants to spread misinformation to divert attention.

Operation Safe Haven reiterated its mission to seize illicit weapons and ammunition from the Joint Operations Area and urged the public to collaborate with security agencies by providing credible information.

The announcement also identified Mr. Sam P Dachun, Job Yakubu Ishaku, and Mr. Timothy Zakka Dung (also known as Timaya) as wanted individuals in connection with crimes in the Fann District. The military called on anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the nearest security outpost.

The statement concluded by acknowledging the bravery of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Christopher Luka Agwom, who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the July 10, 2024 operation.