Operatives of the Division of State Providers (DSS) in Niger State have rescued two pastors and a church member kidnapped by armed bandits in Kaduna State.
The victims, Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, had been kidnapped on January 9, 2026, on the Gwagwada space of Chikun Native Authorities Space whereas travelling via Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a marriage ceremony.
Receiving the rescued pastors, Chairman of the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria (CAN) within the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Joseph Hayab, mentioned the victims had been safely rescued from the bush by DSS operatives throughout ongoing safety operations in Niger State.
Hayab recommended the DSS for what he described as brave, well timed, and selfless service to the nation, noting that the profitable rescue introduced immense aid to the church and households of the victims.
He mentioned the protected return of the kidnapped pastors had renewed hope that felony components may very well be defeated via sustained and coordinated safety efforts.
The CAN chairman famous that insecurity might solely be successfully tackled via cooperation amongst safety businesses, religion leaders, and most people, warning that criminals thrive when communities are divided.
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In the meantime, DSS operatives of the Niger and Kaduna State Command, in a joint operation, additionally arrested three suspects linked to the incident. The suspects are additionally concerned in arms and ammunition courier, they usually function alongside the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.
In line with one of many suspects, Kwalo, they transport the ammunition via motor parks and rural routes to evade safety checkpoints.
He mentioned they obtained a consignment from a courier at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed it over to Kawu, who subsequently handed it to Iro Malam Iro for onward supply.
Iro was mentioned to have conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Native Authorities Space of Katsina State, the place it was allegedly delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was directed to make use of particular routes to keep away from detection.
Kwalo obtained N50,000 for amassing the consignment, Kawu earned N5,000 as a intermediary, whereas Iro was paid N20,000 as a courier.
Throughout interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into dealing with the consignment, alleging that the sender advised him it contained tantalite, a valuable stone, hid in sacks of millet to forestall theft.
Reacting to the arrests and rescue of the kidnapped pastors, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Inner Safety and Residence Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), mentioned the operation mirrored the dedication of the DSS and different safety businesses to defending lives and property.
Shuaibu recommended the DSS management for its sustained efforts, assuring residents that the Kaduna State Authorities, underneath Governor Uba Sani, stays dedicated not solely to sustaining peace however to sustaining it.
He urged residents to assist safety businesses by promptly reporting suspicious actions, stressing that safety is a shared accountability and that continued collaboration is essential to curbing criminality throughout the state.
