Operatives of the Department of State Services have rescued two pastors and a church member who were abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State, while also arresting three suspected arms couriers during a joint operation in Niger State.

The victims, Rev. Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, at the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State while travelling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State for a wedding ceremony.

Receiving the rescued victims in Kaduna on Friday, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, confirmed that they were safely rescued from the bush by DSS operatives during ongoing security operations in Niger State.

“They were rescued alive from the bush by operatives of the DSS. This intervention has brought tremendous relief to the church, their families, and the Christian community at large,” Hayab said.

He commended the DSS for what he described as a courageous and timely operation, noting that the successful rescue had renewed hope in the fight against insecurity.

“This rescue shows that criminals can be defeated if our security agencies remain coordinated and the people cooperate. Criminals thrive where communities are divided,” he added.

Meanwhile, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna State commands, in a joint operation, also arrested three suspects linked to the kidnapping and arms trafficking. The suspects were said to be involved in the transportation of arms and ammunition along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna axis.

One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, reportedly told investigators that the group moved ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to evade security checkpoints. He said a consignment was received at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed over to Kawu, who later transferred it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.

According to the DSS, Iro conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, where it was allegedly delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was directed to use specific routes to avoid detection.

Kwalo was said to have received ₦50,000 for collecting the consignment, while Kawu earned ₦5,000 as a middleman, and Iro received ₦20,000 as a courier. However, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the consignment.

“I was told that what I was carrying was tantalite, a precious stone, hidden inside sacks of millet to prevent theft,” he reportedly said during interrogation.

Reacting to the development, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), described the operation as a clear demonstration of the security agencies' commitment to protecting lives and property.]

“This operation reflects the resolve of the DSS and other security agencies to rid our communities of criminal elements,” Shuaibu said.

He assured residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remained committed to sustaining peace and security across the state, while urging the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.