DSS arrests ISIS-trained IED expert, high profile kidnappers, others

Security operatives’ arrest of the killers of a traditional ruler in Kaduna State immediately restored peace and in the Northwest, the Department of State Services (DSS) has said.

According to DSS’ spokesman Peter Afunanya, between October 15 and now, many high-profile suspects, including an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) expert trained by the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), members of kidnapping gangs, gunrunners and cultists in Kaduna, Zamfara, Plateau, Benue and Akwa-Ibom states, have been arrested.

He said: “The Service, in collaboration with the military, had arrested suspected abductors and killers of the traditional ruler of Adara Chiefdom, HRH Maiwada Galadima.

“Relative peace has since returned to Kaduna State after the disturbances that followed his violent abduction and gruesome murder and it is to be noted that concerted efforts are being made to address the resurgence of organized criminal activities in the North-West.

“Consequently, the Service has arrested high profile kidnappers and notorious elements in different locations of the state and beyond,” he stated before giving a rundown of various operations carried out by security agents.

“On 25th October, 2018, in Riga Chikun, Kaduna State, five  members of a dreaded kidnap gang whose operations span between Kaduna and Katsina states were apprehended; they are: Isa Ahmadu (gang leader), Suleiman Umar (ransom negotiator), Ibrahim Mallam, Ishaku Saidu (aka Ishe) and Mansur (Mallam).

“After a preliminary investigation, the group’s hideout in Katsina State was raided and this led to the arrest of two other members of the group, namely, Muhammadu Ibrahim and Muhammed ISA. Earlier on 19th October, 2018, Sirajo Ibrahim, a suspected infamous kidnapper was arrested at Hayin Danmni, Igabi LGA of the State.

Afunanya went on: “On 30th October, 2018, at Sainyinan Dani, Yabo LGA, Sokoto State, the duo of Abubakar UMAR and Suleiman SANI were arrested for gun running.

“Between 11th and 12th October, 2018, suspected armed bandits operating in and around Zamfara State were also arrested in Bakura, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of the state; those arrested were Dan-Alhaji Dan-Mineri, Yusuf Khalif and Musa (Mallam).”

According to Afunanya, a combined operation by DSS and military personnel on 5th November, 2018, led to the arrest of Muhammed Aminu, a suspected gun runner and his accomplice, Dare Okunwola (aka Boda) at Lere LGA and Agindi, Jos in Kaduna and Plateau states.

During a search of Okunwola’s residence, several ammunition and eight AK-47 rifles were said to have been recovered. On the same date, at Toungo LGA, Adamawa State, Abbas Abubakar (aka Sambo) a suspected Improvised Explosives Device (IED) expert for the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) was apprehended.

“Other arrests were those made on 15th October, 2018, at North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State where renowned cultists, Yakubu MOHAMMED and Joseph ANDOAASIN were apprehended; cartridges and a locally-made pistol were recovered from them.

“Also on the same date, at Ikot Akpan Dem, Ukanafun LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Otu Ekong, a serial kidnapper, was arrested.

“At the start of October, the trio of Abdulhamid ISA, Adamu ADAGIRI and Nuhu AHMED, who are members of a kidnap gang that operates between Kogi and Edo States were arrested in the state.”