Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have arrested a dismissed policeman, Danjuma Yusuf, over his alleged involved in arms trafficking and aiding criminal networks linked to violent crimes in incidents which caused massive unrest in Plateau State communities.
The military outfit apprehended Yusuf, who was on a traveling trip, following intelligence gathering that traced his activities to illegal movement of weapons and ammunition, a contravention of the state’s laws.
The arrest was held yesterday in Riyom Local Government Area during an interception of the alleged terrorist who was said to be travelling from Jos South to Makera, as stated by the operation’s spokesperson, Polycarp Oteh, on Monday, who mentioned that arrest forms part of sustained efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal syndicates and restore lasting peace across areas affected by insecurity.
Oteh held that during the enforcement, the arrestee in possession of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, pepper spray, a jack knife, cutlasses, mobile phones, police identification materials, ATM cards and ₦73,300 cash, all recovered from him, adding that the arrest reflects the military outfit’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting the activities of criminal elements and enhancing security for law-abiding citizens.
The respondent stated that further investigations are ongoing as the policeman may have links to a wider inter-state arms trafficking network allegedly responsible for supplying weapons to criminal groups involved in terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Oteh noted that investigations are continuing to uncover other members of the suspected syndicate and determine the full extent of its operations, urging residents to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities.
“Public cooperation remains critical to defeating criminal networks.
“We encourage citizens to continue sharing useful information with security agencies to help safeguard lives and property,” he said.