In a statement issued by the Department of State Services (DSS), the security outfit says it carried out several successful operations between July and early August
against Boko Haram cells and kidnappers across the country.
The statement which was issued by Tony Opuiyo, the spokesperson for DSS, catalogued the agencies successes as shown below:
“On 4 July, 2017, along Zaria – Funtua Road in Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, the Service busted another kidnap gang and apprehended its kingpins, Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani, notorious kidnapper and gun-runner who has been supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau
States.
During their arrest, the DSS operatives recovered a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, One Pistol, 4 AK-47 Magazines, 5 FN rifle, 989 rounds of Ammunition, One (1) round of 9mm Ammunition, One (1) Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.
“Similarly, on 5 July, 2017, at Ikara Junction, Tudun Wada LGA in Kano State, two high profile kidnappers namely: Rabiu Dahiru aka Kachalla and Umar Ya’u were apprehended by the Service. Dahiru and Ya’u are members of the kidnap gang which has been operating at the Falgore forest in Kano State.
Twenty six live cartridges and a bullet proof vest were found in their possession during their arrest.
“Also, on 4 August, 2017, this Service arrested a suspected gun-runner, Haruna Musa at Kasuwan Magani area, along Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State. Musa is a gun-runner who has been ferrying arms and ammunition to criminal elements especially kidnappers along forested communities in Birni Gwari and its environs.
The operatives recovered from him a grey Opel Vectra V6 with Reg. No. 899-MKA and 31 AK-47 magazines.
“On 14 July, 2017, at the Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe, FCT, the Service smashed the kidnap syndicate led by one Ebifagbe Dickson aka Ginikachi and five others namely: Williams Jephter, Messiah Philips, Sample Reuben, Prosper Ebitari and Charles Krobo James.
“This gang was responsible for the kidnap of five German expatriates of Bayelsa Coastline in Brass LGA. It was also intercepted while plotting to perpetrate series of
kidnap operations in the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja
The DSS was active in Kogi State as well, where its operatives arrested Jonathan Lukas and his accomplice, Nafiu Usman at Ajipome, Dekina LGA, on 27 July, for their involvement in the series of kidnapping incidents in the State.
BOKO HARAM ARRESTS
“In furtherance of its counter-terrorism/insurgency fight against the extremist elements, the Service conducted a tactical operation against fleeing Boko Haram fighters on 1 July, 2017, at Sakwai in Kachia LGA of the Kaduna State.
During the operation, one Usman Musa, a high profile Boko Haram cell leader, was apprehended alongside six of his accomplices, namely Isa Halidu, Ibrahim Dauda, Bature Mohammed, Buhari Dauda, Inusa Usman and Adamu IBRAHIM. Light arms, ammunition and radical literature were recovered from the cell.
“In Taraba State, the Service intercepted one Usman Halaji aka Abubakar Mubi, on 5 July, 2017, at Bali town, where he was hibernating after fleeing Sambisa Forest following military bombardment of the area.
He was discovered to be advancing the doctrines of the terrorist group as well as recruiting vulnerable minds to join its ranks.
“On 13 July, another cell amir (leader), one Yusuf Isah was arrested at Sabuwar Yelwa area of Dala LGA in Kano State.
It was sequel to this that a member of the cell, one Yakubu USMAN (Alh.) who had also fled from Sambisa forest following military operations in the North East was arrested, on 28th July, 2017, by the Service.
“Furthermore, on 3 August, 2017, two suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Buba Gebi aka Dogo Dan Cameroon and Manu Isah, were apprehended by the Service at Tamburawa, Dawakin Kudu, Kano State, on 3rd August, 2017. The duo were intercepted while heading to Lagos, in furtherance of the group’s cause.
“The Service also arrested one Bashir Yahaya Ojo, a suspected member of an ISIS-affiliated extremist cell and close associate of Bilal aka Malik, another extremist element at Nagazi in Adavi LGA. Ojo, in connivance with other members of the cell, has been indoctrinating and recruiting vulnerable youths in the State for the extremist group.
“On 10 August, 2017, at Kwatte Village, Rigasa District, Igabi LGA in Kaduna State, the Service, in conjunction with the Military, raided the hideout of a notorious armed robbery/kidnap gang led by one Salisu Lawan.
During the operation, the criminals engaged operatives in a shoot-out, which resulted in the death of one Shehu Lawal (a gang member) while Lawan the ringleader and two (2) other members of the gang, namely Mohammed TUKUR (27 years) and Usman Mohammed (35 years) were arrested.”
