Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by armed bandits, while also arresting three suspects linked to an arms and ammunition trafficking network during coordinated security operations in Niger and Kaduna States.
The victims were kidnapped on January 9 along the Gwagwada axis of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State while travelling to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony. Following intelligence-led operations, DSS operatives traced the kidnappers to a forest enclave in Niger State, where the victims were safely rescued.
Those rescued were identified as Reverend Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu. They have since been reunited with their families as security operations continue across flashpoints in the area.
While receiving the rescued victims, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, John Joseph Hayab, praised the DSS for what he described as a swift and decisive intervention. He said the successful rescue has brought immense relief to the church and renewed public confidence in the nation’s security agencies.
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Also reacting, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, commended the DSS and other security agencies for their sustained collaboration. He reassured residents of the state government’s commitment, under Governor Uba Sani, to safeguarding lives and property, and urged citizens to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
In a related development, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna Commands arrested three suspects believed to be part of an arms trafficking syndicate operating along the Niger–Kaduna–Katsina corridor. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly moved ammunition through motor parks and remote rural routes to evade security checkpoints, receiving payments for facilitating the illegal transfers. Investigations into the network are ongoing.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
