DSS Rescues Kidnapped Pastors, Arrests Three Arms Couriers In Niger

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State have rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State.

The victims—Rev. Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob and Suleiman Adamu—were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, at the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government Area while travelling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony.

Receiving the rescued pastors, in Kaduna on Friday, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the pastors were safely rescued from the bush by DSS operatives during ongoing security operations in Niger State.

“They were rescued alive from the bush by operatives of the DSS. This intervention has brought tremendous relief to the church, their families and the Christian community at large,” Hayab said.

He commended the DSS for what he described as a courageous and timely operation, adding that the successful rescue had rekindled hope in the fight against criminality.

“This rescue shows that these criminals can be defeated if our security agencies remain coordinated and the people cooperate. Criminals thrive where communities are divided,” he added.

Meanwhile, DSS operatives of the Niger and Kaduna State Command in joint operation also arrested three suspects linked to the incident. The suspects are also involved in arms and ammunition courier and they operate along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.

According to one of the suspects, Kwalo, they transport the ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to evade security checkpoints.

He disclosed that a consignment was received at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed over to Kawu, who later transferred it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.

Iro was said to have conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area 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 ₦50,000 for collecting the consignment, Kawu earned ₦5,000 as a middleman, while Iro was paid ₦20,000 as courier.

However, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the consignment.

“I was told that what I was carrying was tantalite, a precious stone, hidden inside sacks of millet to prevent theft,” he said during interrogation.

Reacting to the development, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), described the operation as a demonstration of the commitment of security agencies to safeguarding lives and property.

“This operation reflects the resolve of the DSS and other security agencies to rid our communities of criminal elements,” Shuaibu said.

He assured residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remained committed to sustaining peace and security across the state.

Shuaibu urged members of the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements, stressing that “security is a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of all.”