The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday announced the arrests of twenty-two suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country. The DSS in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Peter Afunanya, said the arrests were made by its tactical teams in conjunction with the military. This was as the service disclosed that it had got leads that would enable it and other security agencies to contain the menace of kidnapping. “…the service has arrested high profile kidnappers and notorious elements in different locations of the state and beyond. “On 25th October, 2018, in Riga Chikun, Kaduna State, five members of a dreaded kidnap gang whose operations span between Kaduna and Katsina states were apprehended. They are Isa Ahmadu (Gang Leader), Suleiman Umar (Ransom negotiator), Ibrahim Mallam, Ishaku Saidu (aka ISHE) and Mansur (Mallam). “After a preliminary investigation, the group’s hideout in Katsina State was raided.
This led to the arrest of two other members of the group namely, Muhammadu Ibrahim and Muhammed Isa. “Earlier on 19th October, 2018 Sirajo Ibrahim, a suspected infamous kidnapper was arrested at Hayin Danmni, Igabi Local Government Area of the state,” Afunanya said. He further disclosed that; “On 30th October, 2018, at Sainyinan Dani, Yabo Local Government Area, Sokoto State, the duo of Abubakar Umar and Suleiman Sani were arrested for gunrunning. “Between 11th and 12th October, 2018, suspected armed bandits operating in and around Zamfara State were also arrested in Bakura, Tsafe and Bungudu Local Government Areas of the state.
“Those arrested were Dan-Alhaji Dan-Mineri Yusuf Khalf and Musa (Mallam). On 5th November, 2018, the tactical team of the service, in collaboration with the military, arrested Muhammed Aminu, a suspected gunrunner and his accomplice, Dare Okunwola (aka Boda) at Lere Local Government Area and Agindi, Jos in Kaduna and Plateau states respectively.
“During a search of Okunwola’s residence, several ammunition and eight AK-47 rifles were recovered.” Afunanya continued; “On the same date, at Toungo Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Abbas Abubakar (aka Sambo) a suspected Improvised Explosives Device (IED) expert for the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) was apprehended. “Other arrests were those made on 15th October, 2018, at North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State, where renowned cultists, Yakubu Mohammed and Joseph Andoaasin were apprehended. Cartridges and a locallymade pistol were recovered from them. “Also on the same date at Ikot Akpan Dem, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Otu Ekong, a serial kidnapper was arrested. At the start of October, the trio of Abdulhamid Isa, Adamu Adagiri and Nuhu Ahmed, who are members of a kidnap gang that operates between Kogi and Edo states were arrested in the state.”
