DSS Strikes Bandits Network, Rescue Two Pastors in Kaduna State
Abuja, Nigeria In a significant security breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have successfully rescued two pastors and a church member who were abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State, and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
The victims identified as Rev. Idi Buhari, Rev. Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, in the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. They were travelling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony when armed bandits seized them.
During coordinated operations in Niger State, DSS personnel located and rescued the victims alive from a bush hideout. Following their recovery, the reunited pastors and church members were received in Kaduna by Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Rev. Hayab praised the DSS for their “courageous, timely and selfless” intervention, noting that the rescue has brought “tremendous relief to the church, the families of the victims, and the wider Christian community.’’ He added that the operation reaffirmed confidence in coordinated security efforts and urged continued cooperation between communities and security agencies.
In a related development, three suspects linked to the kidnapping were arrested by DSS operatives in a joint operation involving Niger and Kaduna State commands. The suspects were reportedly involved in transporting arms and ammunition across the Kwara State–Niger State–Katsina State–Kaduna State corridor, a route frequently exploited by criminal elements to move weapons undetected.
Investigation details reveal that the suspects transported consignments hidden in sacks of millet to evade security checkpoints. One suspect, identified as Kwalo, admitted receiving the package under the mistaken belief that it contained tantalite, a precious mineral rather than ammunition. Payments for the operation ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 for various participants in the courier chain.
Government and Security Response
Reacting to the rescue and arrests, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, described the DSS operation as a testament to the commitment of Nigeria’s security agencies in safeguarding lives and property. Shuaibu reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to maintaining peace under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership.
He echoed calls for community support in the fight against criminality, emphasizing that security is a shared responsibility requiring timely public reporting of suspicious activities. Such engagement is seen as critical to sustaining recent gains against kidnapping and arms proliferation in the region.
The successful rescue and arrests come amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and illicit arms trafficking persistent challenges that have affected Kaduna and neighbouring states. Collaborative operations like this one underscore intelligence-led strategies aimed at disrupting criminal networks and improving civilian protection.
