DSS Arrests 10 Suspected Kidnappers in Military Uniforms in Kogi

The Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi Command, says it has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers in the last six weeks in its bid to eliminate kidnapping in the state.



Joseph Okpo, the State Director of the command, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Okpo said that four of the suspected kidnappers/robbers were arrested at Koton-Karfe along the Abuja-Lokoja highway, dressed in military combat uniforms.

He gave the names of the suspects as Haruna Saleh (aka Auta), who is the ring leader, Kabiru Shaibu, Abdulmumin Adamu, and Tukur Shuaibu.

The DSS boss, however, did not disclose the names of the other six suspects who he said were arrested in different locations in the state.

He said that an on-the-spot search conducted on the suspects and their vehicle showed that they were in possession of a locally made pistol and long barrel gun.

Other items recovered include: “three pairs of army camouflage uniforms, seven pump action cartridges, a cutlass, 14 cell phones, cash, and one green-coloured Golf 3 vehicle with registration number KWL 946 FB”.

Okpo said that during investigation, the gang availed information to the existence of three unrecovered AK 47 and other weapons kept in a yet-to-be identified location.

“Intelligence further revealed that the group has links with other kidnap syndicates operating in FCT, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States.

The gang admitted carrying out six different robbery/kidnap operations along the Minna-Kontagora road, Niger State; Malumfashi, Mararaba-Jos and Jaji-Zaria roads in Kaduna State,” he said.

He said that some of the alleged perpetrators of crime, especially robbery and kidnapping in the state included outsiders who used the state to further their nefarious acts.

According to him, they do so due to the geographical/topographical peculiarities of the state.

He said that the command will continue to collaborate with other security agencies and stakeholders to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the state and its environs.

He warned all criminal elements to leave the state.

The DSS boss stressed that the Service and other security agencies have taken advantage of the renewed zeal of the state government’s support in ensuring law and order in the area.

-NAN