DSS operatives

The Department of State Services has announced the arrest of one Aminu Aliyu allegedly responsible for the kidnap of an Army captain, Ifeanyi Amos on 27 May along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

The arrest of the abductors of the Army captain was one of the series of alleged kidnappers and gang of abductors in various parts of the country by the secret police as detailed in a statement signed on its behalf by one Tony Opuiyo on Monday.

The DSS said “In Edo State, the Service on 9th June, 2017 at Aviele, Etsako West LGA, arrested fifteen (15) kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila MADU, a dismissed soldier. Another member of the gang, Ibrahim TOPA sustained gunshot injury in his left leg while he was trying to escape.

“Similarly, in Ebonyi State, one Chinonso ONWE (a.k.a Abino Flash) was arrested at Izhia Community, Ohaukwu LGA on 1st June, 2017, by the Service in collaboration with the Community’s Security Council for armed robbery and kidnapping.

“He was identified to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity. During his arrest, two (2) locally made pistols and a pair of Nigerian Army fatigue were among items recovered from him.

“Prior to these arrests, the Service, in collaboration with the Military, on 11th May, 2017, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five  suspected Kidnappers/Cattle rustlers namely– Sani HASSAN (aka Ashana); Suleiman ABDULLAHI (aka Dogo Sule); Bashiru ABDULLAHI (aka Lamo); Amadu ABDULLAHI (aka Mallam); and Auwalu SANDA (aka Maitaru).

“Also, on 17th May, 2017, along the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) road, Rivers State, the Service arrested one Alesa ABDULKARIM, for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mayowa AKINKUADE. Similarly, on 19th May, 2017, at Achala Autonomous Community, Obowo LGA, Imo State, the Service arrested one Chinyere ONYEANULUM for his connection with the kidnap of one Jennifer Chizitere ANURUO.

“On 7th June, 2017, the Service also arrested Yusuf ALIYU at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa, Kaduna-North LGA, for his suspected membership of the syndicate terrorizing users of the Abuja-Kaduna Road. Again, on 9th June, 2017, at Dankande village, Rigachiku, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, the Service confronted a notorious kidnap gang.

“Though Isah BAKI, leader of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds, three (3) of his members namely: Hassan ABDULLAHI (22 years), Abubakar ABDULLAHI (27 years) and Suleiman ABDULLAHI (30 years) were arrested.

“On the same 9th June, 2017, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Road in Kaduna, the Service engaged another dangerous kidnap group and arrested two (2) of its members: Yusuf SANI and Yusuf ADAMU. Two (2) AK-47 rifles and nine (9) live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects who are currently being interrogated.

“ Committed to the effort aimed at achieving a terror free country, the Service sustained its counter terrorism/insurgency operations. To this effect, it continued the degrading of the capabilities of these terrorist elements.

“Consequently, the Service in a joint operation with the Military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid ISIAKA (aka SMALL) and Habib AUDU, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively. It is instructive to note that ISIAKA is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu UWAIS, a most wanted terrorist.

“While in Libya, ISIAKA had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States. He however became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorist acts. ISIAKA has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against the terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis.”