Suspected kidnappers and gunrunners Rabiu Sani (27) and Abubakar Sani (30)
The Department of State Services says it has achieved more progress in its bid to ensure the safety of Nigerians with the arrest of more suspected kidnappers, gunrunners, cattle rustlers and drug dealers across the country. Between June 18 and July 5, 2017, the security agency stated its operatives arrested more than 20 persons including a suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Hassan. DSS spokesperson, Mr Tony Opuiyo, stated in a statement on Friday that Hassan was arrested along with six of his associates by a joint team of its operatives and the military in Kakuri, Kaduna state on Monday (July 3). The statement added that the suspected kidnap kingpin is believed to have gained notoriety for his operations on the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Those arrested alongside are Yusuf Saidu, Rashida Usman (female), Abubakar Shuaibu, Abubakar Suleiman, Huzairu Bawa and Sani Abubakar. On July 5, the DSS stated it arrested Rabiu Sani (27) and Abubakar Sani (30) along the Zaria-Funtua Road in Giwa LGA of Kaduna for kidnapping and gunrunning. As stated by the statement, operatives recovered one Baretta pistol one empty magazine; 1,000 rounds of 7.62 calibre live ammunition; one round of 9mm calibre live ammunition; four empty AK-47 rifle magazines; five empty F.N rifle magazines, one sky blue Volkswagen Vento Car and N457,140, among other things.
Also, on July 5, operatives of the DSS arrested one Loveday OGBONNA, a native of Owoahiafor in Obingwa LGA in Abia State at a fast food restaurant in Aba. He was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mrs Viola Orji. Still on July 5, the DSS stated it arrested the duo of Rabiu Dahiru (a.k.a Kachalla) and Umar Ya’u in possession of 26 cartridges, amulets and vests bearing charms at Ikara Junction in Tudun Wada LGA, Kano State. The same day, Shehu Mainasara (a.k.a Gizga) was arrested and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for his “activities in illicit drugs”. Earlier, on June 18 the security agency stated its operatives with the support of the police raided the residence of one Chidera Njoku at Umuagwu village in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State and recovered one locally made single barrel shotgun, 82 rounds of 5.56 live ammunition and one human skull. The agency stated the arrests will help it consolidate its recent successes in thwarting terrorists’ attacks, kidnapping, and banditry in different parts of the country. It assured Nigerians that it will not stop to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that law and order are maintained.