The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted nine members of suspected criminal gangs including an ex-soldier and recovered arms at various locations in the country.
The spokesperson for the service, Peter Afunanya, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, March 26, 2023, said the suspects were arrested during joint operation with sister security agencies.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it carried out a joint operation with sister security agencies in Kogi State on 26th March 2023,” the statement read.
“During the operation, the security team intercepted a six-man criminal gang at Gegu Beki, along the Lokoja-Abuja Road. While the gang includes Col AU Suleiman (rtd), Barr. MK Aminu, Kabir Abdullahi, Isah Umar, Kadir Echi and Adama Abdulkarim, items recovered from the members are: one (1) Pump action rifle, four (4) cartridges, one (1) AK47 empty shell and the sum of eleven thousand, thirty naira (11,030).
“Yesterday, 25th March 2023, Service operatives apprehended a 20-year-old suspected notorious kidnapper, Haruna Adamu at Fotta village in Gombi LGA, Adamawa State.
“At the point of arrest, one (1) AK-47 rifle, one (1) magazine and four (4) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the suspect. On 23rd March 2023, one Aminu Ibrahim, a suspected gunrunner was arrested along Kubwa Expressway, Abuja by the Service operatives while on his way from Nasarawa State to deliver four hundred and thirty-two (432) rounds of 7.62 x39mm caliber ammunition concealed in a four (4) litre gallon of palm oil to a bandit in Niger State.
“The sum of Twenty-one Thousand, four hundred Naira (N21,400) was also recovered from the suspect. Earlier on 22nd March 2023, Babangida Ibrahim, an arms courier to bandits in Zamfara State was apprehended along Bukuru in Jos South LGA, Plateau State.
“Recovered from him were four hundred and sixty-eight (468) rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition and the sum of twenty-one thousand, ninety naira (21, 090).
“All the suspects have been taken into custody and will be prosecuted accordingly. Meanwhile, the Service and relevant security agencies are carrying out further investigations into related matters in parts of the country.
“It should be noted that the Service will continue to collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to curb crime in the country. Members of the public are enjoined to avail the agencies relevant information for counter actions against criminal and subversive elements.”