DSS Operatives

Nigeria secret police, the Department of State Services, DSS on Friday announced the arrest of gangs of kidnappers in various parts of the country and recovery of guns, ammunitions and other weapons the criminals are using for their business.

Tony Opuiyo spokesperson for DSS announced the arrests in a statement issued to give an update of efforts to degrade, contain and deter the activities of terrorists/insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal elements through different tactical operations by the Service in parts of the country in July and early August, 2017.

One of the kidnap gangs busted, DSS said in the statement, was responsible for the abduction of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The gang leader identified as one Ebifagbe DICKSON aka GINIKACHI and other members of his syndicate; DSS said were arrested on 14 July at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, and FCT.

The gang leader and other members of the syndicate, namely: Williams JEPHTER, Messiah PHILIPS, Sample REUBEN, Prosper EBITARI and Charles Krobo JAMES, was also intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of kidnap operations in Abuja.

On the other gangs arrested during the period, DSS said, “On 3rd July, at Kakuri Industrial Area in Kaduna State, the Service arrested one Haliru HASSAN and six (6) other members of a notorious kidnap gang operating along the Abuja – Kaduna High Way. The gang, which comprised Usman ABDULKADIR, Yusuf SAIDU, Abubakar SHUIABU, Abukakar SULEMAN, Uzairu BAWA, and Sani ABUBAKAR, has been terrorizing motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

“ On 4th July, 2017, along Zaria – Funtua Road in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, the Service busted another kidnap gang and apprehended its kingpins, Rabiu SANI aka DOGO and his close associate, Abubakar SANI. SANI is a notorious kidnapper and gun-runner who has been supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States. During their arrest, the following items were recovered from the duo:

1. A Blue Volkswagen Vento car with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA,
2. One (1) Pistol,

iii.     Four (4) AK-47 Magazines,

1. Five (5) FN rifle,
2. Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine (989) rounds of Ammunition,
3. One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition,

vii.    One (1) Beretta magazine, and

viii.   The sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand One Hundred and Forty Naira (N457, 140).

“Similarly, on 5th July, 2017, at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, two (2) high profile kidnappers namely: Rabiu DAHIRU aka KACHALLA and Umar YA’U were apprehended by the Service. DAHIRU and YA’U are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State. Twenty six (26) live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest.

“Also, on 4th August, 2017, this Service arrested a suspected gunrunner, Haruna MUSA at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. MUSA is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs. The following items were recovered on him during his arrest; Opel Vectra V6 car with Reg. No. 899-MKA (grey colour), Thirty one (31) AK-47 magazines.

“ In Kogi State, the Service arrested Jonathan LUKAS and his accomplice, Nafiu USMAN at Ajipome, Dekina LGA, on 27th July, 2017, for their involvement in the series of kidnapping incidents in the State.

“ On 10th August, 2017, at Kwatte Village, Rigasa District, Igabi LGA in Kaduna State, the Service, in conjunction with the Military, raided the hideout of a notorious armed robbery/kidnap gang led by one Salisu LAWAN. During the operation, the criminals engaged operatives in a shoot-out, which resulted in the death of one Shehu LAWAL (a gang member) while LAWAN the ringleader and two (2) other members of the gang, namely Mohammed TUKUR (27 years) and Usman Mohammed (35 years) were arrested”