A major security operation at the Kaduna International Airport has resulted in the arrest of 6 suspected bandits, including 3 women, moments after their return from the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
ait. live source who begged to remain anonymous said operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other sister agencies moved swiftly in the early hours of this Tuesday morning, intercepted the suspects at approximately 3:40 a.m. as they disembarked from a flight bringing Nigerian pilgrims home from Saudi Arabia.
The source also revealed that intelligence reports linked the 6 individuals to banditry activities in Nigeria’s troubled Northern region.
Among those apprehended are: Hajara Halidu, from Giwa LGA; Haruna Aliyu, also from Giwa LGA; Idris Suleiman, a suspected bandit, from the same locality; Hadiza Iliyasu, identified as the mother of the late Buharin Daji, a notorious bandit leader; Safiya Iliyasu, said to be the ex-wife of Buharin Daji; and Abdullahi Iliyasu, reported to be Buharin Daji’s brother.
All suspects were immediately taken into custody for further interrogation.
This dramatic swoop follows a similar arrest on May 19th, when DSS operatives nabbed an alleged kidnap kingpin, Sani Galadi, at the Sokoto Airport as he attempted to depart for the 2025 Hajj.
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Security analysts say these arrests underscore the growing concern over attempts by criminal elements to exploit the Hajj pilgrimage for cover.
The DSS maintains that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of preliminary interrogations.
ait. Live will bring you updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
