DSS Nabs 4-Member Kidnap Syndicate in Military Uniforms

  • Arrests 6 others in Kogi State

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Department of State Service (DSS) has nabbed a four-member kidnap syndicate operating in Kogi State with military uniform.

The Director of DSS, Lokoja Command, Mr. Joseph Okpo, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Service had, in the course of intensified efforts towards curtailing the increasing spate of kidnappings within the last six weeks, arrested about 10 suspected kidnappers, most of whom have been charged to court.

Okpo said that DSS had recently arrested a gang of robbers/kidnappers along Abuja-Lokoja highway, Koton-Karfe, Kogi LGA, following liaison report corroborated by signal intelligence linking them to robbery and kidnapping activities within and outside the State.

He listed the members of this gang who operated in military combat uniforms to include their leader, Haruna Saleh, aka Auta, Kabiru Shaibu, Abdulmuminu Adamu, and Tukur Shuaibu.

He, however, noted that the DSS operatives recovered several items during an on-the-spot search conducted on the suspects’ vehicle such as three pairs of Army camouflage uniforms; a locally made pistol; and a locally made long barrel gun.

Other items recovered include: seven pump action cartridges; a cutlass, knife, 14 handsets, a set of number plates (AG 556 BNG), three torches; one green coloured Gulf 3 vehicle with registration number KWL 946 FB; and the sum of N46,675.

Okpo further stated that signal intelligence revealed that the group has links with other kidnap syndicate operating in FCT, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States.

He said: “They admitted that from the Ramadan to the time of arrest, they have conducted six different robbery/kidnap operations alongside two other gang members.

“The locations include Minna-Kantogara road, Niger State, Mararaba-Jos road, Kaduna State, twice along Manufarshi road in Zaria, Kaduna State and twice along Jaji-Zaria road.”

“They have disclosed their source of military uniforms and I have invited the appropriate service to join us in investigating this angle of the case,” he remarked.

MORE DETAILS LATER

Related Articles