Plateau: Troops Neutralise Gang Leader, Arrest 15 Suspected Drug Peddlers
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recorded major operational gains in Plateau State, neutralising a suspected armed gang leader linked to the killing of a soldier and arresting 15 suspected illicit drug peddlers in separate operations.
Security sources revealed that the gang leader, identified as Usman Ya’u, was arrested on September 30, 2026, during a manhunt for those responsible for the killing of a soldier in Manja Forest, Plateau State.
According to the sources, Ya’u allegedly confessed during interrogation to his involvement in the soldier’s killing and agreed to lead troops to the gang’s hideouts in Jibiyal Forest, where security forces hoped to recover weapons and apprehend other members of the group.
However, at about 8 p.m. on October 2, troops of Sector 9, OPEP, accompanied by local hunters, reportedly encountered other members of the gang while advancing towards the suspected hideout in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area.
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The encounter triggered an exchange of gunfire, during which the captured suspect was killed, while one of the local hunters sustained a gunshot wound.
The injured hunter was subsequently evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while troops continued offensive operations to apprehend or neutralise fleeing members of the gang.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 1, OPEP, arrested 15 suspected illicit drug peddlers during a raid on a suspected drug hideout in Jos North Local Government Area.
The operation was conducted at about 6 p.m. on October 3 at Congo Russia, an area of Jos North, where troops raided the identified location and arrested the suspects.
The 15 suspects were subsequently profiled and placed under investigation for further necessary action.
The two operations underscore ongoing efforts by OPEP to disrupt armed criminal networks, tackle drug-related activities and strengthen security across Plateau State.
The operations also form part of broader efforts to track down perpetrators of attacks on security personnel, recover illicit weapons and prevent criminal groups from establishing operational footholds in the state.
By PRNigeria
