By Our Correspondent
JOS — Troops of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, have neutralised a suspected armed gang leader during a fierce encounter with members of his gang in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the deceased suspect, identified as Usman Ya’u, was arrested on September 30, 2026, during an intensive manhunt for those responsible for the killing of a soldier in Manja Forest.
The soldier was killed during a recent operation in the forest, which has become a hotbed of armed criminal activities, prompting the military to launch a sustained offensive to track down the perpetrators.
According to security sources, the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation at the military base to his involvement in the killing of the soldier and volunteered to lead troops to the gang’s hideouts in Jibiyal Forest to facilitate the recovery of weapons and the arrest of other members of the gang.
The sources said the troops, acting on the confession, mobilized for the operation with the suspect in custody.
“At about 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 2, troops, accompanied by local hunters, reportedly encountered other members of the gang while moving towards the hideout, leading to an exchange of gunfire,” one of the security sources said.
The encounter, which was described as intense, occurred as the troops were closing in on the gang’s enclave in Jibiyal Forest.
During the gun battle, the captured suspect was neutralized, while one of the local hunters who accompanied the troops sustained a gunshot wound.
“The captured suspect was neutralized during the encounter, while one of the hunters sustained a gunshot wound. The injured hunter was evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” the source added.
It was not immediately clear whether the suspect was hit by bullets from his gang members who were trying to prevent his escape or from crossfire during the encounter, but security sources said he died at the scene.
Following the incident, troops have intensified offensive operations in the general area to apprehend or neutralize other fleeing members of the gang and recover their weapons.
The sources said further operations were ongoing in Jibiyal Forest and surrounding areas to dismantle the criminal network and prevent further attacks on security personnel and innocent civilians.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces under Operation Enduring Peace to track down those responsible for attacks on security personnel, dismantle armed criminal networks and restore peace in Plateau State.
Plateau State has in recent months witnessed a series of attacks by armed gangs, bandits and other criminal elements, particularly in forest areas in Qua’an Pan, Wase, Bokkos and other local government areas.
The military has vowed to sustain the momentum of its operations until all criminal hideouts are cleared and those responsible for killing security personnel are brought to justice.
Residents of Qua’an Pan have commended the troops for their prompt response and called for sustained presence of security operatives in the area to prevent resurgence of criminal activities.
As at press time, the military authorities have not issued an official statement on the operation, but security sources said details will be made public after the conclusion of the ongoing offensive.
