The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Department of State Security Service ( DSS

  • DSS arrests Taraba’s federal lawmaker Danladi Baido

    A House of Representatives member, Danladi Baido, was on Friday arrested by men of the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    Although no reason was stated for the arrest, The Nation learnt it will not be unconnected to the governorship/State Assembly polls holding today.

    Baido, who is representing Ardo-Kola, Lau and Karim-Lamido federal constituency, was re-elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform at the presidential/national assembly polls on February 26.

    Baido is a former political godfather to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Abubakar Danladi.

    The two kinsmen from Karin-Lamido, now in different political parties, are in serious political battle as to who will win the area tomorrow.

    Read also: Buhari commiserates with Bagudu over brother’s death

    Baido was in his village mobilising his party’s agents and supporters ahead of the governorship/State Assembly polls when the DSS picked him.

    The DSS, accompanied by policemen of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), came in about six hilux vans.

    Baido’s supporters -largely youths, blocked the DSS officials with bows and arrows near the bank of River Benue after they crossed into Lau local government area.

    But the lawmaker came down and pleaded with the youth to open the road and not to attack anyone.

    “They (DSS) are not taking me away to go and kill me,” he said.

  • Suspected killers of Kaduna monarch arrested

    Department of State Security (DSS) has arrested six persons suspected to have killed the Kaduna first class traditional ruler, Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima.

    Kaduna State command Director of DSS, Mr. Mahmud Ningi who paraded the suspects in Kaduna on Wednesday recalled that, suspects abducted the late traditional ruler on the 19th of October and killed him a week after.

    However in his reaction to the arrest of the suspects, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has demanded swift conclusion of investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

    While parading the suspects, the DSS Director said, “on October 19 about 1730 hours near Idon village, in Kajuru Local Government area, a gang of armed hoodlooms blocked the road and were robbing commuters of their valuable. Unfortunately during the operation, the convoy of the late Galadima, ran into the hoodlums who subsequently abducted the Monarch and his wife Victoria and driver, Timothy Katari.

    “The hoodlums also killed the police orderly Sergeant Isua Clement and one palace Gard Amos Zamani.”

    He also disclosed that three days later on October 21, the wife of the Royal father was also release by the kidnappers ostensibly because of her deteriorating health condition.

    “Subsequently, the kidnappers contacted the family through the monarch’s wife phone lines which was confiscated by the abductors and demanded for N100million ransom.

    “Unfortunately despite the continuous negotiation, five days later, on October 26, the Royal father was killed by the abductors after receiving N6.850 million from the family.” DSS boss disclosed.

    Ningi said the service has been keeping track of the activities of the criminals during the negotiation but could not effect arrest because the safety of the victims was paramount.

    He also disclosed that immediately after the monarch’s body was discovered, the Service tracked and arrested six members of the syndicate at different locations in the State.

    “During the preliminary interrogation, they made confessional statement about their involvement in the crime.

    Read also: PDP accuses Buhari of shielding Oshiomhole from investigation

    He identified the six suspects as; Adamu Sani 36, who was arrested on October 31, along Shanono road, Rigasa in Igabi local government area in Kaduna State, “he is the mastermind of the operation. Adam Saidu aged 25, was arrested on October 31 at Soba local government he is also marked as a member of theBoko Haram group.”

    “Also Adam Isha aged 25 which has been involved in cattle rustling for the past five years. He was invited to participate in the operation by Adamu Saidu.

    “Also Yusuf Bello aged 32 who was arrested on October 29 at Sakwai, Kachia LGA hosted Saidu and friends when they were planning the operation.

    “Another one is Dahiru Muhammad Bello aged 28, he was arrested on October 29 along with his brother Yusuf Bello, he accommodates the mastermind anytime he visited.

    “Mohammed Aminu is the syndicate supplier, he was arrested on November 5 and lead the operatives to his accomplice in Plateau state where eight locally made Dane guns were recovered.

    “However because of jurisdiction, the accomplices and recovered weapons have been handed over to Plateau State Command of SSS for further investigation.” He explained.

    Ningi however assured that the service will ensure proper prosecution of the suspects, while efforts are being made to arrest other members of the gang.

    He equally expressed appreciation to the military who provided necessary support during operation and all other security agencies.

    Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai welcomed the arrest of the suspected killers of the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima.

    A statement through his media aide, Samuel Aruwan said that, “what must swiftly follow is the conclusion of the investigation and the diligent prosecution of the arrested suspects.

    “The Kaduna State Government welcomes the arrest of suspects in the kidnap and murder of HRH Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima. The government commends the security agencies for this breakthrough, and urges that all agencies must do their utmost to conclude investigations, arraign the suspects before a competent court and ensure that justice is done.

    “Diligent prosecution of criminal suspects is vital to the social order, assuring victims that they will get justice and signaling to criminals the inevitability of punishment. This reassures citizens and duly increases confidence in the law enforcement agencies.

    “Government appeals to all residents to keep the state calm, and to their utmost to preserve and uphold harmony in their communities. It is important to stand together as a law-abiding community to defeat criminal elements and deny them any succour, be it tribe, tongue or religion.” The statement read.

  • PDP chieftain decries Buhari’s refusal to sign PIB

    Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) South South, has decried refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    Ogidi told News men in Abuja on Wednesday that the PIB was dear to the Niger Deltans.

    According to him, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in the industry, enhance private sector investment and address issues affecting host communities.

    Ogidi said that the bill had been on for many years and that the National Assembly had done all that was necessary to make it see the light of the day.

    He also expressed worry over the president’s refusal to sign the Electoral Law Amendment Bill.

    The chieftain said that the reasons put forward by the presidency for declining assent to the bills were not `acceptable’.

    The presidential aide on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang had said that President Muhammadu Buhari withheld assent to PIGB for constitutional and legal reasons.

    He also said that the president declined assent to the draft law initiated to update the outdated Petroleum Act to replace its provisions with a more comprehensive and current legal framework that aligned with global standards.

    Ogidi said that the Electoral Law Amendment Bill was necessary to ensure a credible election in 2019 as it sought to give legal backing to the use of card readers.

    He noted that Buhari promised credible elections come 2019, while receiving his counterparts from Germany and Britain but alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police had been compromised.

    Read Also: 2019: Five PDP governors seeking deal with Buhari

    He called on all the heads of security agencies to learn from the misfortunes of the recently sacked Director General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and live up to expectations.

    The PDP stalwart said nobody is indispensable adding that there were capable Nigerians waiting for the opportunity to serve.

    He said that security issues must be taken very seriously adding that there was urgent need for government to put an end to killings across the country.

    “Nigerians must engage the government and keep talking to be taken seriously, we are not comedians and we must prevent a repeat of what happened in the Ekiti Elections.

    “I urge elder statesmen to keep speaking out and attract the attention of the international community; Nigeria being the giant of Africa cannot afford to be brought low,” he said.

    According to Ogidi, Nigerians, have gone out in their numbers to get registered ahead of 2019 general elections in a bid to sustain democracy

    He described reports alleging that some Nigerians were made to part with money to collect their Permanent Voter Card (PVCs) as `unfortunate’.

    The chieftain expressed confidence that the PDP would win the presidential election come 2019.

    Speaking on the defection of the former Governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ogidi said that it was of no consequence to the PDP.

    He described the move as a quest for relevance saying that before Uduaghan left office as governor, members of the PDP had already deserted him for lack of performance.

    Following the collapse of St. Paul Catholic Church in Adagbrasa-Ugolo community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Ogidi urged church leaders to always engage professionals.

    He advised that, rather than engaging church members in building projects, it was safer and better to engage experienced professionals.

    “It is unfortunate that we lose lives daily to killings across the country, we cannot afford to lose lives to collapsed building as well,” he said.

  • Expulsion: PDP writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party
    The National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.
    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti – party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.
    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.
    However, in a letter  by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem,  dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the  Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.
    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    Read also:Kashamu holds Mega rally, rejects expulsion by PDP

     “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC)  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo,  Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions  and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).
    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.

  • Expulsion: PDP formally writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party

     

    The National Headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.

    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti-party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.

    Read Also:Kashamu rejects expulsion by PDP leadership

    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.

    However, in a letter by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.

    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo, Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).

    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.