DSS Rescues Abducted Pastors, Nab 3 Arms Traffickers in Niger

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State have successfully rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State.

The victims—Rev. Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu—were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, in Gwagwada, Chikun Local Government Area, while traveling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony.

Receiving the rescued pastors in Kaduna on Friday, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, described the rescue as a timely and courageous intervention by the DSS.

“They were rescued alive from the bush, bringing tremendous relief to the church, their families, and the wider Christian community,” Hayab said, commending the DSS for the operation. He further noted that the success underscores the importance of coordinated security efforts and community cooperation in combating criminality.

In a related development, joint operations by DSS commands in Niger and Kaduna States led to the arrest of three suspects linked to the kidnapping. The suspects were involved in arms and ammunition couriering along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna corridor.

Investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Kwalo, received ₦50,000 to transport a consignment, which he claimed he believed to be tantalite hidden in millet sacks. The consignment was subsequently transferred by middlemen Kawu and Iro Malam Iro to an unidentified recipient in Sabuwa, Katsina State. Kawu reportedly earned ₦5,000, while Iro received ₦20,000 for his role.

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Reacting to the arrests and rescue, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), lauded the DSS operation as a demonstration of the commitment of security agencies to protecting lives and property.

“This operation reflects the resolve of the DSS and other security agencies to rid our communities of criminal elements,” Shuaibu said, assuring residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remains committed to sustaining peace and security. He also urged the public to report suspicious activities, emphasizing that “security is a collective responsibility.”

The successful operation highlights the growing effectiveness of coordinated security measures in tackling kidnapping, armed banditry, and illegal arms distribution in Northern Nigeria.

(Reporting by PRNigeria)