TASK FORCE ARRESTS 21 SUSPECTS IN JOS

STF arrests 21 suspects in Jos village raids February 7, 2013 by Jude Owuamanam 3 Comments The Special Task Force in Jos has said 21 people were arrested in the military operation ordered by the Defence Headquarters to flush out militants from some villages in Jos. In addition, three AK 47 rifles, 14 locally made pistols, a submachine gun, six locally made short guns, 516 live rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 534 live rounds of 7.62mm (SP), 170 live cartridges a sword, a dagger, cutlasses and three drilling screws were recovered from them. The operation was ordered on July 14 last year, following the death of two lawmakers a week earlier. Senator Gyang Dantong, who represented Plateau North, and Mr. Gyang Fulani, died on July 7 while leading a funeral procession for over 100 people killed by some Fulani herdsmen in nine villages in Barakin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau state. The operation was to flush out militants operating from the hills of Mahanga, Kakuruk, Kuzen, Maseh and Shong 2. STF spokesperson, Captain Salisu Mustaph, who displayed some arms recovered during the operation at the STF headquarters in Jos on Wednesday, said three of those arrested were being prosecuted, while investigations were ongoing to determine the involvement of all those arrested during the operation. He said STF had introduced new strategies to enhance the operational capabilities of its troops with a view to enhancing security in Riyom and Barkin Ladi. He added that security had been beefed up with additional base at Gashish to serve as a buffer zone. PUNCH