In a significant security breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully rescued two clergymen and a church member who were abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State. The rescue operation also led to the arrest of three suspects involved in arms trafficking.
Dramatic Rescue in the Bush
The victims, Reverend Idi Buhari, Reverend Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped on January 9, 2026. They were seized in the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government while traveling from Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. Their mission was to officiate a wedding ceremony.
DSS personnel in Niger State located and safely extracted the captives from a bush area during ongoing security operations. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, personally received the rescued individuals.
Hayab praised the DSS for what he termed a courageous, timely, and selfless service. He stated that the successful rescue brought immense relief to the victims' families and the wider church community. He added that this operation renews hope that criminal elements can be defeated through sustained and coordinated security efforts.
Arrests and Arms Trafficking Network Exposed
In a related development, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna State Commands conducted a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of three suspects connected to the incident. Investigations revealed these individuals were also involved in couriering arms and ammunition along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.
One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, explained their modus operandi. He said they transport ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to deliberately evade security checkpoints. In a specific instance, they received a consignment from a courier at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State.
The arms were then handed over to an intermediary named Kawu, who subsequently passed them to Iro Malam Iro for delivery. Iro allegedly conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area in Katsina State, where it was delivered to an unidentified recipient after using specified routes to avoid detection.
The financial rewards for this illicit trade were disclosed:
- Kwalo received N50,000 for collecting the consignment.
- Kawu earned N5,000 as a middleman.
- Iro was paid N20,000 as the courier.
During interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the shipment. He alleged the sender told him the sacks contained tantalite, a precious stone, hidden within millet to prevent theft.
Official Reactions and Call for Vigilance
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), reacted to the successful operations. He stated that the rescue and arrests reflect the unwavering commitment of the DSS and other security agencies to protecting the lives and property of citizens.
Shuaibu commended the DSS leadership for its sustained efforts. He assured residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remains firmly committed not just to achieving peace, but to sustaining it in the long term.
Echoing the CAN chairman's sentiment on cooperation, the Commissioner urged citizens to actively support security agencies. He stressed that security is a shared responsibility and called on the public to promptly report any suspicious activities in their communities. This continued collaboration, he noted, is critical to curbing criminality across the state.
