Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested a prime suspect in the Killing of a newly-married couple in a shooting in a secondary school in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Mr Rwang Danladi, 37, and his wife Mrs Sandra Rwang, 28, were murdered by suspected herdsmen who led a herd of cows into their school.
The couple met their deaths on August 14, 2023 at BECO Comprehensive Government Secondary School, Kwi village, Riyom LGA, when the unidentified gunmen forced their way into the school and opened fire on them after the couple had challenged them.
Also in that incident, Emmanuel Davou 34-year-old sustained machete wounds and was hospitalised.
The troops also arrested 45-year old John Chunwang in connection with the killing of a councillor.
The duo were among criminals arrested in connection with other heinous acts.
Media Officer of OPSH, Capt Oya James, said in a statement that the prime suspect, Lukman Aminu, was successfully captured on November 18, 2023.
He said that Aminu, who has been on the watchlist of OPSH for his involvement in various crimes, will face justice for his alleged involvement in this heinous crime even as troops are on the trail of the remaining culprits.
James said that Chunwang was arrested on November 23 by the Tactical Team of OPSH during a raid operation at the suspect’ hiding place at Chit village. The suspect was alleged to have murdered Hon Dung Chalong on November 13 2023 at Chit village, Heipang District in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
Items recovered from the suspect, according to the Media Officer, included 1 Dane gun and 9 cartridges.
James said, “He confessed to have killed the victim with his locally fabricated gun over a land dispute. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in resolving this case and bringing justice to the victim’s family.
“Similarly, the continuous and unrelentless effort of OPSH to address the proliferation of weapons in line with the directives and timeline given by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja is yielding result.
“Acting on intelligence information, troops raided a local weapon manufacturing factory at Ban village under Heipang district in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State. During the operation, troops arrested the operator of the factory, Mr Sunday Markus Dung.
“Items recovered from the factory include 6 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 Sub-machine Gun, 1 rifle, 1 pistol and 7 unfinished fabricated rifles. Others include Lister generator, locally fabricated weapons tools, fabricating materials, military kits, 4 mobile phones and some money.
“Furthermore, the troops in the combined efforts to rid Plateau State of illicit drugs which has continued to fuel criminalities, OPSH troops on 22 November 2023, conducted raid operations at the hideout of suspected drug peddlers within Mangu town in Plateau State and arrested 9 drug barons.
“The troop recovered huge quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa as well as several other illicit drugs from the criminal’s den hideout of drug peddlers in Mangu Local Government Area. The recovery and subsequent arrests were made possible through the resilience and tenacity of OPSH in its commitment to bringing criminals to justice.
“The successful capture of these suspects underscores OPSH’s unwavering commitment to dispensing justice and ensuring the safety and security of the residents.
“Also, the apprehension of the killer of the couples at BECO Comprehensive Government Secondary School Kwi village on 14 August 2023, serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Operation SAFE HAVEN to bring criminals and those who take the law into their hands to justice, no matter how long it takes.
“The GOC 3 Div/Commander OPSH, Maj Gen AE Abubakar expresses his gratitude to the public for their unwavering support and cooperation to troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN.
“He assures that troops would remain committed, firm and tireless in bringing perpetrators of criminal acts to justice while upholding the rule of law as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities we serve,” the statement added.
