From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted 34 successful operations in the first quarter of 2025, arresting 54 suspects, including serving security operatives, and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition.
Governor Uba Sani praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi as DSS Director General, crediting Ajayi’s leadership for repositioning the agency to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.
Speaking through the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), Sani commended the DSS for recovering five AK-47 rifles, one GPMG, three RPGs, and 5,000 rounds of various calibres, while rescuing 79 kidnap victims now in state custody. Shuaibu, addressing journalists after visiting the DSS Command Headquarters in Kaduna, lauded the agency’s synergy with other security forces.
The arrested suspects include eight suspected bandits, 22 informants, four gunrunners, two human traffickers, four cyber fraudsters, two vandals, and 12 family members of suspected bandits. A serving security operative from Zamfara allegedly stole 217 rounds of ammunition, intending to sell them to bandits for ₦4 million.
One gunrunner was caught with 500 rounds of AK-47 ammunition for sale in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, for ₦1.5 million, while another, arrested en route to Katsina, carried 1,087 rounds. His associate, nabbed in Funtua, Katsina, had 701 rounds destined for Zamfara.
In a related operation in Delta State, DSS operatives recovered over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and 3,000+ rounds in Asaba, arresting a British Army member allegedly involved. Ijaw communities in Egbema, Gbaramatu, Isaba, and Ogbe-Ijoh kingdoms commended the seizure but urged a presidential investigation, warning of potential unrest in Warri.