In a significant security breakthrough, operatives of Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully rescued three kidnap victims and disrupted a major arms trafficking network spanning several northern states.
Dramatic Rescue of Abducted Clergymen
The operation led to the safe recovery of two pastors and a church member who were abducted on 9 January 2026. The victims, identified as Rev. Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped at Gwagwada in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. They were traveling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony when the incident occurred.
DSS operatives freed the men during ongoing missions in Niger State. Receiving the rescued individuals in Kaduna on Friday, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, confirmed the details. He stated the pastors were "rescued alive from the bush by operatives of the DSS."
"This intervention has brought tremendous relief to the church, their families and the Christian community at large," Hayab said, praising the coordinated security effort. He emphasized that the rescue proves criminals can be defeated when security agencies work together and communities cooperate.
Uncovering the Arms Supply Network
In a related development stemming from intelligence gathered during the rescue, DSS operatives from Niger and Kaduna State Commands arrested three suspects linked to arms and ammunition trafficking. The network operated along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.
One suspect, identified as Kwalo, revealed to investigators how ammunition was moved through motor parks and rural routes to bypass security checkpoints. He detailed a specific consignment received at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State, which was handed to an individual named Kawu, who then transferred it to Iro Malam Iro for delivery.
According to the DSS, the ammunition was transported from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, delivered to an unidentified recipient using covert routes. The financial motivations were clear:
- Kwalo received ₦50,000 for collecting the consignment.
- Kawu was paid ₦5,000 as a middleman.
- Iro received ₦20,000 as a courier.
During interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was misled about the package contents, believing he was transporting tantalite (a precious stone) hidden inside sacks of millet to prevent theft.
Official Reactions and Security Resolve
Reacting to the successful operation, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), highlighted its significance. He stated the operation "reflects the resolve of the DSS and other security agencies to rid our communities of criminal elements" operating across state boundaries.
Shuaibu reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government's commitment to supporting security agencies and urged residents to assist by reporting suspicious activities. "Security is a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of all," he noted, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and community partnership to sustain the gains against insecurity.
The dual success of the rescue mission and the arms network disruption marks a crucial step in addressing the intertwined challenges of kidnapping and illicit arms proliferation in the region.
