By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency says it has rescued two pastors and a church member abducted by armed bandits, while also arresting three suspects linked to an arms and ammunition trafficking network during coordinated operations in Niger and Kaduna states.
In a statement released on Tuesday, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) said the rescue followed intelligence-led operations targeting criminal hideouts across the two northwestern states, long plagued by banditry and violent crime.
According to the agency, the victims were abducted during separate attacks and held in remote locations before DSS operatives swooped in and secured their freedom without loss of life. The rescued pastors and church member have since been reunited with their families and are receiving medical attention.
The DSS also confirmed the arrest of three suspects believed to be key players in an arms trafficking network supplying weapons and ammunition to criminal groups operating in the region. Several firearms and rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered during the operations.
Security analysts say the arrests could disrupt the flow of illicit weapons that have fuelled kidnappings and attacks across parts of northern Nigeria.
The DSS reiterated its commitment to working with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and improve safety, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible intelligence.
Kidnappings by armed groups remain a major security challenge in Nigeria, with religious leaders and worshippers increasingly targeted in attacks on churches and communities.
