DSS arrests own staff over N310m robbery, recovers N66.4Million

DSS arrests own staff over N310m robbery, recovers N66.4Million

Sunday, December 6, 2015 7:20 pm


DSS operatives

DSS operatives


Ayorinde Oluokun

Nigeria secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS) said on Sunday that it has arrested two out of five of its operatives involved in the robbery of some Bureau De Change operators the sum of N320 million on Friday 20th November, 2015 in Abuja.

A recent report had detailed how some men who posed as politicians had lured the Bureau de change operators to an hotel in Abuja under the guise of wanting to change thousands of dollars to naira.

The politicians had reportedly told the operators that the money will be used for the Kogi State gubernatorial election which took place on 21 November. But on getting to the hotel, the politicians with the help of heavily armed men who identified themselves as operatives of DSS and soldiers had driven away the police escort of the currency operators and later proceeded to rob them of their huge load of foreign cash.

The statement issued by Tony Opuiyo, on behalf of DSS on Sunday, is the first confirmation that operatives of the secret police were indeed involved in the heist.

According to Opuiyo while three operatives of DSS who participated in the robbery are now at large, the military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in the crime.

Opuiyo disclosed that “preliminary investigations have revealed that Abdulrasheed Ahmadu Maigari of the DSS, conspired with four (4) other colleagues of his namely: Solomon Inusa, Peter Okoye, Patrick Ishaya and George Mwatapwa Ibbi, to carry out this reprehensible act.
“The five (5) military personnel were led by one Capt. Hussein Ishaku MSHELIA. Meanwhile, the Service has arrested MAIGARI and IBBI; and Mshelia equally arrested by the Army authorities. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those still at large.

“A total of N66. 4 million and $6,200 have so far been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amounts. It is to be noted that security agencies now act in concert, thus the joint investigation undertaken with the Police, Army and the DSS.

Opuiyo further added that “this action of the Service is in line with the posture of the current Administration and DSS management focus on professionalism, transparency and accountability. Those so far arrested have been suspended pending the completion of investigations.”


Join The Conversation

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.