IN A move to rid Nigeria of criminal elements, the Department of State Services, DSS, has swooped kidnappers across the country, arresting associates of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwaza (aka Ghana). It has also arrested 15 kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila Madu, a dismissed soldier in Edo state.

The DSS on Monday said the Dondo Orsaa, Terhile Mbaloha and Teryima Ihiambe (aka Clark) were caught at various locations within Katsina-Ala local government in Benue State for their sustained kidnap operations across Benue and Taraba States.

According to Tony Opiuyo, spokesperson of the DSS, the coordinated operation which started on June 9, led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a 9mm pistol, ammunition and complete set of Army uniform from Orsaa.

On April 10, one Terna Sakpo, an informant to the Akwaza syndicate was arrested around the Army Barracks in Takum in Taraba State.

Opuiyo said that some of the operations were planned and executed with sister agencies and targeted at kidnappers, terrorists and other high profile criminals.

For instance, on June 9, in Edo State at Aviele, Etsako West local government, 15 kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila Madu, a dismissed soldier, were arrested.

Another member of the gang, Ibrahim Topa sustained gunshot injury in his left leg while he was trying to escape.

In Ebonyi State, one Chinonso Onwe (a.k.a Abino Flash) was arrested at Izhia Community, Ohaukwu local government on June 1, for alleged robbery and kidnapping. The suspect, also identified as a member of the Black Axe confraternity, was arrested with two locally made pistols and a pair of Nigerian Army fatigue.

Opuiyo said in a statement that prior to these arrests, DSS, in collaboration with the military, on May 11, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five suspected kidnappers and Cattle rustlers. They are Sani Hassan (aka Ashana); Suleiman Abdullahi (aka Dogo Sule); Bashiru Abdullahi (aka Lamo); Amadu Abdullahi (aka Mallam); and Auwalu Sanda (aka Maitaru). Also, on May 17, in the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) road, Rivers State, Alesa Abdulkarim was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mayowa Akinkuade.

On May 19, at Achala Autonomous Community, Obowo local government, Imo State, one Chinyere Onyeanukum was arrested over his connection with the kidnap of one Jennifer Chizitere Anuruo.

On May 28, on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, the DSS arrested Aminu Aliyu in Sokoto State for the kidnap of Ifeanyi Amos, an Army Captain on  May 27, along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

Also, on June 7, it arrested Yusuf Aliyu at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa, Kaduna-North, for his suspected membership of the syndicate terrorising users of the Abuja-Kaduna Road while on June 9, at Dankande village, Rigachiku, Igabi local government in Kaduna State, the DSS confronted a notorious kidnap gang; the leader Isah Baki, escaped with gunshot wounds, but three of members of the gang were arrested. There are Hassan Abdullahim, 22, Abubakar Abdullahi, 27, and Suleiman Abdullahi, 30.

On the same day in Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Road in Kaduna, the DSS engaged another dangerous kidnap group and arrested Yusuf Sani and Yusuf Adamu and recovered two AK-47 rifles and nine ammunitions from them.

—  Jun 12, 2017 @ 15:15 GMT