In a swift counter-terrorism operation, personnel from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), as part of the wider Operation Lafiyan Jama’a, have arrested two suspected members of Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria.
On 11 April 2025, in carefully executed cordon-and-search operation, troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shendam dismantled an ISWAP cell situated in the Yelwa sector of Shendam Local Government Area (LGA). During the high-precision raid, two persons—Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, both aged 25—were apprehended while operating under the guise of local tailors.
Preliminary interrogation indicates that the suspects had been tasked by an ISWAP cell commander to exploit their civilian cover to establish terrorist strongholds across Plateau and Bauchi States. The detainees remain in military custody for further interrogation and prosecution.
In another operation on the same date, Sector 4 OPSH conducted a follow-up strike targeting the hideout of a high-value criminal in Mazat Village, Barkin Ladi LGA. Although the suspect evaded capture, troops conducted a thorough sweep of the premises, uncovering one AK-47 rifle (serial no. 23402) and a single AK-47 magazine, both concealed within the structure. The recovered ordnance has been secured, while manhunt operations are underway to apprehend the fugitive and locate additional weapon caches.
Furthermore, on 12 April 2025, Sector 2 OPSH, acting on actionable intelligence, established an ambush position along the Pinau-Bangalala route in Wase LGA. Upon engaging hostile elements, troops eliminated one terrorist, with remaining combatants retreating under fire, likely sustaining injuries. A post-engagement exploitation of the area yielded one improvised firearm (fabricated pistol).
A statement says “Operation Safe Haven is effective in addressing any security threat to civilians within the Joint Operations Area. We, therefore call for more credible information to aid the operations of troops as they intensify onslaughts on arm-carrying criminals”.
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