DSS Arrests Boko Haram’s Medic, Gun-running Syndicate

The Department of State Services (DSS) Wednesday said it has
arrested one Yusuf Salisu (aka Bala), a medic for kidnappers and
the Boko Haram Sect.

The agency, in a statement, said the suspect was apprehended by
a DSS-Military Joint Operation Team on November 9, 2018, at Sabon
Birni Village, Igabi Local Government, Kaduna State.

The statement signed by the spokesperson of the DSS, Peter
Afunanya, also claimed to have arrested a notorious kidnapper,
Muhammad Musa (aka ZARA), who operates around the Mararaban-Jos
area, also in the same council.

Musa was arrested on November 7, 2018, while perfecting plans to
kidnap a lawmaker and a prominent personality in Kaduna and Kano
States respectively.

“On 9th November, 2018, at Sabon Birni Village, Igabi LGA,
Kaduna State, a DSS-Military Joint Operation Team apprehended Yusuf
SALISU (aka BALA), a medic for kidnappers and the Boko Haram Sect.
Until his arrest, suspect operated a medicine store and regularly
treated wounded kidnappers or their victims. He is also linked with
thirteen (13) high profile Boko Haram Commanders already on the
wanted list of security agencies.

“On 7th November, 2018, at Mararaban-Jos, also in Igabi LGA,
another notorious kidnapper, Muhammad MUSA (aka ZARA) was arrested
while perfecting plans to kidnap a lawmaker and a prominent
personality in Kaduna and Kano States respectively,” it said.

Afunanya, while recalling that a suspected gunrunner, Dare
Okunwola (aka BODA), was earlier arrested by the joint team in Jos,
said his associates who include Kim Dung (a local AK-47 rifle
fabricator), Hubert Akubulo (aka Okafor), Chidi Ezubebem Stanley
and Elochukwu Chidiebere OGUABIA have also been arrested.

He said during the operation, 1,163 rounds of live ammunition
were recovered from the group, adding that two other members of the
gang, Bitrus Badung and Emeka Obi are still at large.
He however disclosed that one Umar Nuhu, a member of ISWA and a
close associate of Liman Maitukwane (the current leader of Ansaru
Group) was arrested by the joint team on November 13, 2018, at
Rafin-Guza, Kaduna State.

“This group is responsible for the several attacks on military
bases in the North-east. Similarly, on 14th November, 2018, at
Gayawa, Ungogo LGA, Kano State, the Service apprehended Jafar Umar,
a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect.

“In another operation on 16th November, 2018, Shuaibu Shehu, a
kidnap kingpin and cattle rustler was arrested at Gumel, Jigawa
State while on transit. Items recovered from him were one (1) AK-47
rifle, one (1) locally made pistol, two (2) military uniforms,
sixty-four (64) cows, four (4) donkeys and some rams. Other members
of his gang were also arrested and they include: Abdulkarim Dauda,
Adamu Usaini, Umar Adamu, Usaini Shede from whom locally made
pistols and two (2) machetes were recovered during a search.

“On 15th November, 2018 at Fulani settlement, Zango Village,
Lokoja, a suspected kidnapper, Ibrahim Muhammadu, who has carried
out several kidnap operations in Kogi State was arrested. His
latest victim was a nine (9) year old boy, Beddi Muhammadu earlier
kidnapped on 4th November, 2018,” he said.

The DSS spokesperson noted that the arrest of the suspects
further signifies major breakthrough in the fight against
kidnapping and terrorism, adding that the agency would do
everything to sustain efforts aimed at ridding the country of all
forms of criminality.

“Every law abiding person is enjoined to be patriotic and
volunteer useful information that will help accomplish this task,”
he said.
He however extended gratitude to sister agencies whose unrelenting
efforts he said, guaranteed these successes.

“The service is confident that adequate security will be
emplaced during and after the yuletide and election periods,” he
added.

Related

DSS Arrest Boko Haram’s Medic, Gun-Runners

Following the earlier successes recorded by the Department of
State Services (DSS) in apprehending high profile kidnappers and
gun runners across the country, the Service wishes to further
inform the public of its recent feats.

On 9th November, 2018, at Sabon Birni Village, Igabi LGA, Kaduna
State, a DSS-Military Joint Operation Team apprehended Yusuf SALISU
(aka BALA), a medic for kidnappers and the Boko Haram Sect. Until
his arrest, suspect operated a medicine store and regularly treated
wounded kidnappers or their victims. He is also linked with
thirteen (13) high profile Boko Haram Commanders already on the
wanted list of security agencies. Relatedly, on 7th November, 2018,
at Mararaban-Jos, also in Igabi LGA, another notorious kidnapper,
Muhammad MUSA (aka ZARA) was arrested while perfecting plans to
kidnap a Lawmaker and a prominent personality in Kaduna and Kano
States respectively.

It would be recalled that a suspected gunrunner, Dare OKUNWOLA
(aka BODA) had earlier been arrested by the Joint Team in Jos. His
associates who include Kim DUNG (a local AK-47 Rifle fabricator),
Hubert AKUBULO (aka Okafor), Chidi Ezubebem STANLEY and Elochukwu
Chidiebere OGUABIA have also been arrested. During the operation,
one thousand, one hundred and sixty three (1163) rounds of live
ammunition were recovered from the group. Two (2) other members of
the gang, Bitrus BADUNG and Emeka OBI are still at large.

On 13th November, 2018, at Rafin-Guza, Kaduna State, Umar NUHU,
a member of ISWA and a close associate of Liman MAITUKWANE (the
current leader of Ansaru Group) was arrested by the Joint Team.
This group is responsible for the several attacks on Military Bases
in the North- East. Similarly, on 14th November, 2018, at Gayawa,
Ungogo LGA, Kano State, the Service apprehended Jafar UMAR, a
suspected member of the Boko Haram sect.

In another operation on 16th November, 2018, Shuaibu SHEHU, a
kidnap kingpin and cattle rustler was arrested at Gumel, Jigawa
State while on transit. Items recovered from him were one (1) AK-47
Rifle, one (1) locally made Pistol, two (2) Military uniforms,
sixty-Four (64) cows, four (4) Donkeys and some Rams. Other members
of his gang were also arrested and they include: Abdulkarim DAUDA,
Adamu USAINI, Umar ADAMU, Usaini SHEDE from whom locally made
pistols and two (2) machetes were recovered during a search. On
15th November, 2018 at Fulani settlement, Zango Village, Lokoja, a
suspected kidnapper, Ibrahim MUHAMMADU, who has carried out several
kidnap operations in Kogi state was arrested. His latest victim was
a nine (9) year old boy, Beddi MUHAMMADU earlier kidnapped on 4th
November, 2018.

The arrest of these suspects further signifies major
breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism. The
Service, therefore, pledges to sustain these efforts aimed at
ridding the country of all forms of criminality. Every law abiding
person is enjoined to be patriotic and volunteer useful information
that will help accomplish this task. While extending gratitude to
sister agencies whose unrelenting efforts have guaranteed these
successes. The Service is confident that adequate security will be
emplaced during and after the yuletide and election periods.

Peter N. AFUNANYA
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja