Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) engaged in proactive and intelligence-led operations across the States, uncovered criminal hideouts and recovered weapons.
Gatekeepers News reports that the DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya announced the development in a statement on Thursday. The operations were conducted in States like Kano, Delta, Kaduna, Zamfara and Anambra State.
The DSS also dismissed allegations that the agency’s operations in Kano State were targeted at a political party.
“…on 22nd February, 2023, the Service conducted a legally backed search operation on a property along Airport Road, Nasarawa LGA, Kano State. During the operation, it recovered dangerous weapons including a gun, daggers, swords, jack-knives from the said building.”
“Therefore, the accusation that the Service intimidated a particular political party in that State is untrue; otherwise, how come those weapons were found there?” it queried.
Similarly, the Service arrested a gunrunner, Aliyu Yahaya, an associate of Kachalla Damina, a suspected bandit who operates around Dansadau, Zamfara State.
“Items recovered from Yahaya include: one GPMG Rifle; one chain of ammunition, One Hundred and Ninety (190) rounds of GMPG Ammunition, Twenty Eight (28) rounds of AK47 Ammunition and One (1) grenade. The suspect was going to deliver the armaments to DAMINA.
“In Kaduna State, two (2) arm couriers namely Tukur Usman and Illiyasu Adamu were arrested at Chikun LGA, on 20th February, 2023. Three Hundred and Seventy-Two (372) rounds of 7.62 X 39mm ammunition; Twenty-Six (26) rounds of live ammunition for GPMG rifle were recovered from them. The duo were suspected arm suppliers to bandits in Zamfara State. Earlier, on 22nd January, 2023, the duo of Shafíu Usman and Ahmed Nasiru were arrested on the Barkin Ladi-Pankshin Road, Plateau State while on transit to deliver ammunitions to their customers. Six Hundred and Twelve (612) rounds of ammunition for GPMG-120 and AK-492 concealed in a bag of rice were seized from them.
“On 16th February, 2023, at Asaba, Delta State, Fajuwon Isaac was arrested. Four Thousand, Five and Three (4,503) rounds of pump action rifle ammunition among others were recovered from him.
“On 18th February, 2023, in Anambra State, the Service arrested the quartet of Sunday Muokwue, Oforjeri Osita, Ude Bernard John and Okechukwu Emeka and recovered among others from them, one AK-47, Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Five (3,985) rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
“On the security situation in Sagamu, Ogun State, the Service is working with relevant agencies to bring those behind the violent protest to book. After due investigations, all the suspects will be charged to court.”
The DSS, while charging electorate to maintain law and order, assured its commitment to a peaceful exercise.
It pledges its neutrality, professionalism, and good conduct of its personnel to the democratic process.
