Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) said they have successfully arrested two members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Plateau State, as part of ongoing efforts under the operation code-named LAFIYAN JAMA’A.
Samson Zakhom, a Major and spokesperson of OPSH in a statement made available to Journalists Saturday in Jos said the arrest occurred on 11 April 2025 during a coordinated operation at Yelwa axis in Shendam Local Government Area (LGA).
Zakhom said the suspects, identified as 25-year-olds Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, were posing as tailors in the area.
The two ISWAP members according to the spokesperson were apprehended by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shendam, who acted on credible intelligence.
He said Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspects were part of an ISWAP cell tasked with establishing bases in Plateau and Bauchi States under the directive of an ISWAP Commander. Adding that they had been using the guise of tailoring to further the group’s agenda in the area.
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The major added that the suspects are now in custody for further interrogation.
“In another development, on the same day, 11 April 2025, troops of Sector 4 OPSH conducted a follow-up operation at a criminal’s hideout in Mazat Village, Barkin Ladi LGA. While the primary suspect managed to flee before the troops arrived, a thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with registration number 23402, along with an AK-47 magazine. The recovered weapons have been secured, and efforts to track down the fleeing criminal and recover additional weapons are ongoing.
“On 12 April 2025, troops of Sector 2 OPSH carried out a successful ambush against bandits operating along the Pinau-Bangalala Road in Wase LGA. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops made contact with the bandits, resulting in the neutralization of one bandit. The remaining bandits fled the scene, possibly with gunshot wounds. During the follow-up operation, the troops recovered a fabricated pistol from the scene”.
Zakhom noted that the Operation SAFE HAVEN will continue to make strides in its mission to address security threats in the area.
He added that the operation’s success has been largely attributed to the active collaboration of troops and the local community, as well as the timely intelligence provided.
