Troops of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have neutralized three notorious kidnappers in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Maj. Ishaku Takwa, media officer of the task force, in a statement made available on Friday in Jos, said the criminal gang, which has been on the watchlist of the military, is believed to be behind all the recent kidnapping activities in Jos and environs.
He mentioned that the gang, suspected to also be behind the attack on the Jos custodial centre, was neutralized around Gyero, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
DAILY POST had reported that gunmen invaded the custodial centre in December, killing personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and nine inmates and set about 252 inmates free.
“Troops of OPSH, acting on credible intelligence, have neutralized a notorious gang of kidnap syndicate on the plateau.
“The syndicate has been on the watchlist of OPSH and believed to have masterminded the recent kidnapping incidences in the state, and participated in the recent jailbreak at the Jos custodial centre.
“The gang met waterloo when our troops tracked their members to Gyero general area, where they meet to plan how to carry out their nefarious activities.
“The kidnappers, on sighting the troops, opened fire; our troops responded with superior firepower resulting in the neutralisation of three members of the notorious gang,” Takwa added.
Items recovered from the syndicate include; one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 rifle magazines, 101 live rounds of 7. 62mm ammunition and one tricycle.
He further listed other items: one itel and one Tecno phone, two sharp knives, and two military head warmers.
