DSS detains kidnappers in Kogi State

The Department of State Security,(DSS) Kogi State Command has arrested a kidnap and robbery gang which specialises in moving round some states terrorising and inflicting pains members of the public.

Parading the suspects before news men, the state director of the agency, Mr Joseph Ekpo said the gang who were usually dressed in full military combat gear while on operations were part of deadly group that have been criss crossing some states of the country kidnapping people at will and collecting huge ransoms.

He said his men acting on a tip off swooped on the gang members who had just operated in Malumfashi in plateau state and were on their way to Kogi state to operate when his men swooped on them and arrested them along Kotonkarfi end of the Abuja- Lokoja highway.

He said four of the gang members were immediately arrested by his men while two of the gang members who earlier dropped in Gwagwalada to pick some items for their operation were subsequently arrested by his men .

The DSS boss said the gang confessed to have operated six times between ramadan period and the time they were arrested adding that they operated in twice in Malumfasi – Zaria road, Kaduna- Jaji road, two other places in Niger and plataeu states before coming to kogi state.

He said the gang members have a link with somebody in Obajana who ostensibly was giving them the geography of the state and the manner they could operate, but added that the link has also been arrested.

The DSS boss who said no fewer than 10 kidnap gangs have been arrested by his men within the last few weeks, said those arrested have been investigated and prosecuted.

He said the route structure of kogi state which is a link to more than nine states of the federation lures the kidnappers to the state as they think they can easily escape after operation but said his men are under 24 hours surveillance and will crack down on any suspect anywhere and at anytime
Of the day.

Okpo said human and signal intelligence show that most of the kidnap suspects came to operate from outside the state and said his agency has already established a link with a military outfit to establish the source of where the military uniforms the gang members use.

He gave the names of those arrested as Tukur Shuaibu, Haruna Saliu, Kabiru Shuaibu,Abdulmumini Adamu while various dangerous weapons including guns and 14 handsets, a golf saloon car,among others were recovered from them.

He said the suspects will be prosecuted as soon as investigation is completed.

Speaking with newsmen, the gang leader, Abdulmumuni Adam who spoke through interpreter said they are all hausa- fulani from the North and confessed to have operated in major cities of the north.

He mentioned one Adamu, a commercial motorcycle operator in kaduna who helped them procured the military combat uniforms at #1,500 only.