DSS frees kidnapped pastors, busts arms couriers in joint Niger–Kaduna operation

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued two pastors and a church member who were abducted by suspected bandits while travelling through Kaduna State.

The victims—Rev. Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob and Suleiman Adamu—were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, in the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government Area. They were reportedly on their way through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony when they were seized.

The rescued victims were received in Kaduna on Friday by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab. He said the trio were safely recovered from the bush by DSS operatives during ongoing security operations in Niger State.

According to Hayab, the successful rescue has brought relief to the victims’ families and the wider Christian community. He commended the DSS for what he described as a timely and courageous intervention, noting that the operation had renewed confidence in the fight against criminal activities.

He stressed that the development showed criminals could be defeated through effective coordination among security agencies and cooperation from the public, adding that insecurity thrives where communities are divided.

In a related development, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna State Commands, working jointly, also arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping and involved in the movement of arms and ammunition. The suspects are said to operate along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna corridor.

One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, reportedly told investigators that the group transported ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to avoid security checkpoints. He said a consignment was received at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed over to another suspect, Kawu, who later transferred it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.

According to the account, Iro transported the consignment from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, where it was allegedly delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was instructed to follow specific routes to evade detection.

Kwalo was said to have received ₦50,000 for collecting the consignment, while Kawu earned ₦5,000 as a middleman and Iro received ₦20,000 as a courier. Kwalo, however, claimed he was misled into handling the consignment, saying he was told it contained tantalite hidden in sacks of millet to prevent theft.

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

Shuaibu said the operation underscored the resolve of the DSS and other security agencies to rid communities of criminal elements. He added that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remained committed to sustaining peace and security across the state.

He also urged members of the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, emphasizing that security is a shared responsibility.