Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by bandits in Kaduna state.
The victims, Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped on January 9, in the Gwagwada area of Chikun LGA while travelling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger state to officiate a wedding ceremony.
Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), confirmed that the victims were safely rescued from the bush during ongoing security operations in Niger state.
Hayab praised the DSS for what he described as courageous, timely, and selfless service, noting that the successful rescue brought immense relief to the church and the families of the abducted persons.
He added that the safe return of the pastors had renewed hope that criminal elements could be defeated through sustained and coordinated security efforts, stressing that insecurity thrives when communities are divided.
Meanwhile, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna state commands, working jointly, also arrested three suspects linked to the abduction.
The suspects were said to be involved in the transportation of arms and ammunition along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.
One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, reportedly told investigators that the group transported ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to evade security checkpoints.
According to him, the consignment was received at Tegina motor park in Niger state and handed over to another suspect, Kawu, who passed it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.
Investigations revealed that Iro conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, where it was allegedly delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was directed to use specific routes to avoid detection.
Kwalo reportedly received N50,000 for collecting the consignment, while Kawu earned N5,000 as a middleman and Iro was paid N20,000 as a courier.
During interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the consignment, alleging that he was told it contained tantalite, a precious stone, concealed in sacks of millet.
Reacting to the development, Sule Shuaibu, Kaduna state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the operation demonstrated the commitment of the DSS and other security agencies to protecting lives and property.
Shuaibu commended the DSS leadership and assured residents that the Kaduna government, under Uba Sani, the governor, remains committed to sustaining peace across the state.
He urged citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that security is a shared responsibility.
