2 Kidnapped Pastors Freed as DSS Nabs 3 Suspects in Niger

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by suspected bandits in Kaduna State, and arrested three suspects linked to the crime in Niger State.

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

The pastors were rescued by DSS operatives during ongoing security operations in Niger State, according to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who received the victims.

Rev. Hayab commended the DSS for what he described as a timely and courageous operation, saying the rescue brought relief to the church and families of the abducted persons.

He said the development had renewed hope that criminal elements could be defeated through sustained and coordinated security efforts, stressing that insecurity thrives when communities are divided.

Meanwhile, operatives of the DSS in Niger and Kaduna states, working jointly, arrested three suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping and in arms and ammunition trafficking along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.

One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, reportedly confessed that the group transported ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to evade security checkpoints.

He said the consignment was received at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed over to Kawu, who passed it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.

Iro allegedly conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, where it was delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was directed to use specific routes to avoid detection.

Kwalo was said to have received N50,000 for collecting the consignment, while Kawu earned N5,000 as a middleman and Iro was paid N20,000 as courier.

During interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the consignment, alleging that he was told it contained tantalite concealed in sacks of millet.

Reacting to the development, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, SAN, said the operation reflected the commitment of the DSS and other security agencies to protecting lives and property.

He assured residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remains committed to sustaining peace and urged citizens to support security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities.

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