Details have emerged on how troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN on Monday burst a car snatching syndicate in Jos, Plateau State.
According to a statement on Tuesday April 29, 2025 by Spokesperson of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, “troops while on patrol around the Federal Low-Cost Estate in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) intercepted an Ash coloured OPEL VECTRA car with 2 occupants at Lalong Gate of the Estate. Upon sighting troops, the driver attempted to make a detour and escape but was immediately stopped by the troops. However, while questioning the occupants of the car, the driver attempted to zoom off and overrun the patrol motorcycle of the troops but troops acted swiftly neutralizing the driver of the vehicle.”
The statement stated that “during preliminary questioning of the surviving suspect, he confessed that they are armed robbers specialized in snatching vehicles, and added that he returned to Jos from Katsina State on 27 April 2025 for car snatching activities. During search on the vehicle, troops recovered one identity card of a security agency used by the criminals to evade security checks and some car master keys used in opening cars of their victims.
“Furthermore, troops conducted follow-up operations at the hideout of the suspects at Corner Shagari Angwan Rogo in Jos North LGA of Plateau State, where one fabricated pistol was recovered from the ceiling of the hideout. The suspect also volunteered to lead troops to the hideout of another accomplice in the same vicinity.
“However, while leading troops to the hideout, the suspect made a daring attempt to disarm one of the soldiers in order to effect his escape but troops acted swiftly and neutralised the suspect in the process. Troops are conducting operations to identify and apprehend other accomplices of the criminal syndicate.
“Operation SAFE HAVEN is intensifying efforts to clamp down on all forms of criminals and ensure the general area is safe for law-abiding residents.”
