Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army under Operation SAFE HAVEN have successfully neutralized two suspected armed bandits during a raid on a criminal hideout in Plateau State's Qua'an Pan Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted on Monday, targeted a suspected bandits' enclave around Teng Mountain/Forest following credible intelligence reports, military sources confirmed.

According to security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama, the troops engaged the criminals in a firefight and overpowered them with superior firepower, resulting in the death of two suspects.

Weapons and Items Recovered

The military operation yielded significant recoveries, including:

- One AK-47 rifle
- A locally fabricated rifle capable of firing 7.62mm (Special) ammunition
- One AK-47 magazine
- Seven rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition
- Four mobile phones
- Two motorcycles
- N157,900 in cash believed to be proceeds from criminal activities

The Nigerian Army stated that the recovered weapons are now in military custody, while the seized mobile phones are undergoing forensic analysis to help locate and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang.

Operation SAFE HAVEN has reassured the public of the military's commitment to sustaining offensive operations against banditry and other criminal activities until peace is fully restored across the Joint Operations Area.

This successful operation comes as part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to combat the rising insecurity in various parts of the country, particularly in the North Central region where banditry has disrupted peace and economic activities.