The operation, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace, also said 54 suspected criminals were arrested in connection with various crimes including kidnapping, farm destruction, armed robbery, gunrunning and illicit drug trafficking among others.

The media officer of the operation, Captain Oya James, in a statement said the troops also arrested three kidnappers and a suspected bandit, Dauda Tahiru, in connection with the last attack at Heipang village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

“Similarly, following actionable intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested a notorious gunrunner, Da Nyam, and one other at Kwang/Kafanchan communities of Jos South and Jema’a LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna states.

During the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, 55 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one DICON-graded AK-47 rifle with registration number 563706042 and one magazine.