DSS nabs 17 top kidnappers, bandits

The Department of State Service (DSS) said it has arrested 17 top suspected kidnap kingpins across the northern part of the country.

DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, who stated this in a statement yesterday, noted that five of the suspects were arrested at Riga Chikun, Kaduna state on October, 25, 2018.

Some of the suspects are Isa Ahmadu (gang leader), Suleiman Umar (ransom negotiator), Ibrahim Mallam, Ishaku Saidu aka Ishe and Mansur aka (Mallam).

Preliminary investigation, according to the statement, should that the group’s hideout in Katsina state was raided, which led to the arrest of two other members, Muhammadu Ibrahim and Muhammed Isa.

Also, earlier on October 19, another suspected kidnapper, Sirajo Ibrahim was arrested at Hayin Danmni, Igabi Local Government Area of Katsian state.

The duo of Abubakar Umar and Suleiman Sani were also arrested for alleged gun running on October 30 at Sainyinan, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Also, between October, 11 and 12, four suspected armed bandits operating around Zamfara were arrested in Bakura, Tsafe and Bugundu Local Government Areas of the state.

The suspected bandits are Dan-Alhaji, Dan-Mineri, Yusuf Khalif and Musa (Mallam).

The spokesman added that the service, in collaboration with the military, also arrested Muhammed Aminu, another suspected gunrunner and his accomplice, Dare Okunwola, aka Boda in Lere Local Government Area and Agindi, Jos, in Kaduna state and Plateau respectively.

He said that during a search at Okunwola`s residence, several ammunition and eight AK-47 rifles were recovered.

Other arrests made by the service include two suspected cultists – Yakubu Mohammed and Joseph Andoaasin – at North Bank, Makurdi in Benue and cartridges and a locally made pistol were recovered from the suspects.

All the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law by the DSS.