DSS busts ‘criminal gang’ in Kogi, arrests retired colonel

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a retired soldier and five other suspected criminals operating along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

In a statement on Sunday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the suspected criminals were apprehended on March 26.

The DSS, in collaboration with sister agencies, also arrested a 20-year-old suspected kidnapper, identified as Haruna Adamu, in Adamawa.

Afunanya said a suspected gunrunner was apprehended in Abuja while travelling from Nasarawa to deliver arms to bandits in Niger state.

“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) cartridges, one (1) AK47 empty shell and the sum of eleven thousand, thirty naira (N11,030),” the statement reads.

“Yesterday, 25th of March, 2023, Service operatives apprehended a 20-year-old 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 of 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 spokesperson said all the suspects are in custody and would be subsequently prosecuted.

He added that the DSS will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to address crimes in the country.