The Department of State Services says its operatives arrested criminal gangs and recovered weapons across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, said the service arrested a criminal gang in Kogi led by a retired colonel.
He said: “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. 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) catridges;
One (1) AK47 empty shell and the sum of eleven thousand, thirty naira (11,030).
“Yesterday, 25th March, 2023, Service operatives apprehended 20year 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).”
The DSS spokesman said the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly, adding that “the Service will continue to collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to curb crime in the country”.
