DSS Rescues Kidnapped Pastors, Arrests 3 Arms Couriers in Niger
DSS Rescues Kidnapped Pastors, Arrests 3 Arms Couriers in Niger
The Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State has rescued two pastors and a church member kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna.
The victims were intercepted on January 9, 2026, while traveling to a wedding in the Gwagwada area. Security operatives freed them during a targeted mission within the forest.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Northern Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), received the survivors in Kaduna on Friday. He lauded the DSS for their swift and courageous intervention.
Hayab noted that the successful rescue restores public confidence and highlights the effectiveness of coordinated security efforts.
The operation also led to the arrest of three suspects involved in a major arms smuggling ring. These individuals operated across Kwara, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna states, supplying weapons to various criminal gangs.
Their arrest effectively disrupted a critical logistical network used by bandits in the region.
Investigators found that the suspects hid ammunition inside sacks of grain to bypass security checkpoints. One courier, Kwalo, claimed he believed he was transporting precious stones rather than illegal weaponry.
The suspects reportedly received payments between ₦5,000 and ₦50,000 for their roles in the smuggling chain.
Kaduna’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Sule Shuaibu, praised the mission as proof of the government’s commitment to public safety.
He reaffirmed Governor Uba Sani’s goal of eliminating criminal elements from the state. Shuaibu urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to maintain long-term security.
