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Tag: Tony Opuiyo

  • DSS arrest major financier, armourer of kidnap gang in Kogi

    The Department of State Services ( DSS ) said it had arrested Lawal Mohammed, a suspected major financier and amourer of the dreaded Basalube kidnap gang in Kogi.

    A statement issued by an operative of the service, Mr Tony Opuiyo, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the suspect was arrested on March 23, at Japama in Obajana Local Government Area of Kogi.

    Opuiyo said that the suspect was apprehended with two other members of the gang, Mohammed Tukur and Abubakar Ibrahim, by the joint team of the Service and the Military during the operation.

    He said that Tukur was identified as the Chief surveillance officer of the gang who coordinated the gang’s movement across Rivers, Edo, Delta, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory, preparatory to the execution of their operations.

    The operative said that items recovered from the suspects include: three cell phones and 25 bottles of psychotropic inducers.

    In a related development, the DSS said it had also arrested five suspected members of the Basulube kidnap gang at Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta.

    The suspects are: Ali Abubakar, a top ranking member of the gang, Abubakareem Idrisa,Bashir Tsoho, Sanusi Abubakar, Nuhu Muhammadu and Abubakar Abdulhammeed.

    “This arrest was effected while Abubakar was perfecting plans to carry out kidnap operations in Obajana, Kogi,“he said.

    He said that in its determination to decimate the gang, the Service on on March 26 arrested Abubakar Danlansu, driver and weapon courier of the group at Dikko area of Niger.

    “The suspect was arrested enroute Edo from where he was to convey weapons to Obajana in Kogi for the gang’s planned kidnap operations.

    He said that the service had arrested Matthew Ekam, 39, in connection with the kidanap of Obianuju Onyema in Yenagoa on March 12 and later released by the kidnappers on March 18.

    Opuiyo said the suspect is a native of Ogoja, Cross River and a driver of a heavy duty truck operating between Bayelsa and Rivers.

    He said that on March 24, the service arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Bello on the outskirt of Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State.

    Read Also: How we secured Dapchi schoolgirls’ release —DSS

    He said Bello was believed to be carrying out surveillance activities for the extremist group in the area.

    “At the point of his arrest, several handsets, multiple identity cards including those of a Police Constable and neighbourhood vigilante member and N37,857.00 were recovered from him,“he said.

    “The arrest of these suspects hold major significance for law and order and safety of persons.

    “It is instructive to note that the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers on the Lokoja-Okene and Abuja-Kaduna corridors have relatively reduced as a result of sustained counter operations of the Service and sister security agencies,“he said.

    Opuiyo said that the recent arrest of Abubakar and other members of the dreaded Basalube kidnap gang would apparently result in the complete elimination of violent and other allied crimes in those regions.

    “The successes so far recorded by the Service are geared toward providing a safe and peaceful environment for law abiding citizens to pursue their legitimate endeavours.

    “We wish to reassure the public that the tempo of these operations will be continually reviewed, strengthened and sustained.

    “The Service, therefore, wishes to reiterate its stance that all perpetrators of violence and criminality against the Nigerian State and its law-abiding citizens will be made to face the full course of law no matter how long it takes, “he said.

    NAN

  • Employment Scam: DSS warns public

    Employment Scam: DSS warns public

    The Department of State Services ( DSS ) has warned members of the public against the activities of fraudsters as regards employment into the service.

    A statement issued by an operative of the service, Mr Tony Opuiyo, on Thursday in Abuja, said it was not currently employing or carrying out any form of exercise in that regard.

    Opuiyo said some fraudulent persons and groups were extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public with the promise to employ them into the service.

    “The Service wishes to state for the umpteenth time that it is not currently employing or carrying out any form of exercise in that regard,” he said.

    He said that the service does not charge money for the purpose of recruitment.

    Opuiyo advised the public to be wary of these fraudulent persons and groups whose stock in trade remained the spread of falsehood and engagement in impersonation.

     He warned that the Service would not hesitate to deal decisively in accordance with the law with anyone caught in the act of impersonating it.

    The official enjoined members of the public to pass relevant information relating to the nearest Service Command, while efforts were being sustained at uncovering the network of these fraudsters.

    NAN

  • Terrorists planned to bomb Abuja, six others – DSS

    Terrorists planned to bomb Abuja, six others – DSS

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said on Saturday suspected terrorists planned to unleash terror on six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the Eid- Kabir celebration.

    DSS said the plot was spearheaded by Islamic State of West Africa terrorists whose aim was to disrupt the Eid-Kabir celebration.

    It added that the plan was to conduct gun attacks and suicide bombings on FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno States.

    Spokesperson for the DSS, Tony Opuiyo, who disclosed these in a statement, named one Husseini Mai-Tangaran as mastermind of the plan.

    He said the suspect had been on DSS and Nigeria Army radar since 2012, when he allegedly spearheaded the armed attacks on the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone I, on January 20, 2012, as well as other public places in Kano.

    The statement said: “Mai-Tangaran was also responsible for the deadly explosive attacks against worshippers at the Kano Central Mosque as well as an attack on a military formation in Yobe State in 2015, which claimed many of lives.

    “The suspect was arrested in Kano on August 31 and further exploitation led to the arrest of one Abdulkadir Mohammed by the Service on September 2, at Kantin Kwari Market, Fagge, Kano.

    “Mohammed was a fighter of the sect who left the conclave of the group in the Sambisa forest, to join ranks with Ismaila towards carrying out the attacks being planned by the group.

    “Also, another accomplice in the plot, one Muhammad Ali, was arrested on September 3, at Sheka area in Kumbotso area of the state.

    “Prior to his arrest, Ali was the financial courier of the group in Kano. He was one of the conduits through which funds and other material logistics were channeled to the group from foreign extremist elements/sponsors.”

  • DSS busts kidnap, Boko Haram cells

    DSS busts kidnap, Boko Haram cells

    The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday announced its busting of more kidnappers and Boko Haram militants’ cells in some parts of the country.

    The Spokesman for the agency, Tony Opuiyo, said the first kidnap gang of seven was busted on July 3  at Kakuri Industrial Area of  Kaduna State followed by the arrest of  two members of another gang 24 hours later.

    The arrested members of the first gang are – Haliru Hassan ,Usman Abdulkadir, Yusuf Saidu, Abubakar Shuiabu, Abukakar Suleman, Uzairu Bawa, and Sani Abubakar, said to have been terrorising motorists and commuters within the Rijana and Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    The second gang, according to the DSS, is led by   Rabiu Sani aka Dogo and his close associate, Abubakar Sani.

    The gang is believed to be supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba and Plateau States.

    Items recovered from the suspects include a blue Volkswagen Vento with Reg. No. MGU 106 EA, one  pistol,  four AK-47 Magazines, five FN rifle, 989  rounds of Ammunition, one round of 9mm ammunition, one Beretta magazine, and N457, 140.

  • DSS warns ICPC, others over ‘illegal’ operations

    DSS warns ICPC, others over ‘illegal’ operations

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has expressed deep dismay and condemnation over the way some ‘impostors’, including other government agencies carry out illegal operations that are made to look like DSS operations.

    Specifically, the DSS, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, mentioned the security operation carried out at the Kaduna residence of the former Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission (ICPC).

    However, an official of the ICPC who felt alarmed by the DSS’ claims stated that there was never any need or decision to mimic DSS in any of its operations.

    Nonetheless, the statement issued by DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo asserts that impersonation of its operatives is going on under the watchful eyes of some agencies, adding that members of the public should be on alert against such antics.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) has noted, with dismay and total condemnation, the activities of impostors including some security agencies who have continually engaged in illegal security operations, allegedly in the name of the Service, in parts of the country.

    “These impersonators, in some instances, try to mimic the Service’s operational tactics by using its symbols and paraphernalia especially operational dress codes.

    “The aim, according to information available to the Service, is to accord semblance of legitimacy to their operations and as well leave impressions that the DSS was, in fact, involved.

    “An instance was the recent search which the DSS was falsely accused to have carried out at the Kaduna residence of the former Vice President, His Excellency, Namadi SAMBO. Another was the one executed at No.165, Ademola Adetokunbo, Wuse II, Abuja, belonging to Sahara Energy Company,” the DSS stated.

    It accordingly urges citizens to complement DSS efforts to curb such illegal operations.

    “Consequently, the public is hereby alerted to be wary of these ugly trends and also informed that not all operatives in black uniforms are personnel of the DSS.

    “The Service is indeed not sparing any efforts to ensure that this is brought to a complete stop.

    “In line with its standard operational procedures, the Service will, in the spirit of public accountability, always inform stakeholders of its activities on the basis of need-to-know principle.

    “Persons and groups, with useful information about suspected illegal operations in any part of the country, are encouraged to avail same to the Service for prompt action,” the DSS stated.

     

  • DSS arrests ISIS-linked terrorist, kidnappers of army captain

    DSS arrests ISIS-linked terrorist, kidnappers of army captain

    Suspected leaders of kidnapping gangs, a dismissed army corporal and several suspected Boko Haram insurgents have been arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).

    In a statement released by DSS Spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, on Monday, the agency said the Boko Haram elements have intensified activities such as kidnapping and cattle rustling to finance their operations.

    The statement said, “The Service, in a joint operation with the military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid Isiaka (aka Small) and Habib Audu, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively. It is instructive to note that Isiaka is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu Uwais, a most wanted terrorist.

    “While in Libya, Isiaka had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States. He, however, became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and other terror acts.

    “Isiaka has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis.”

    Opuiyo said recent successes in DSS tactical operations included the arrest of kidnappers operating along highways leading to Abuja, adding that reports of kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway motivated DSS operatives to arrest one Aminu Aliyu over the May 27 kidnap of an army captain, Ifeanyi Amos, along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

    Aliyu was arrested on May 28 in Sokoto.

     

  • DSS arrest three suspected associates of notorious kidnap kingpin

    DSS arrest three suspected associates of notorious kidnap kingpin

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has  arrested three suspected associates of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwasa, alias Ghana, an operative, Mr Tony Opuiyo, said in a statement.

    He stated that the suspects were Dondo Orsaa, Terhile Mbaloha and Teryima Ihiambe.

    The Nigeria Police Force had on April 20, declared Akwasa wanted for killing many
    innocent persons and destroying property worth millions of Naira in different locations in Benue.

    Police investigation revealed that Akwasa was responsible for the killing of late Denen Igbana, the Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.

    The Benue Government had offered N10 million to anyone with information that could lead to his arrest.

    Meanwhile, the three suspected associates of the kingpin were arrested on June 9 at various locations in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue.

    Opuiyo said one 1 AK-47 rifle, a 9 mm pistol, ammunition and complete set of army uniform were recovered from Orsaa.

    In a related development, Opuiyo said that on April 10, Terna Sapko, an informant to the Akwasa syndicate was arrested around the Army Barracks in Takum in  Taraba.

    He said that the Service also arrested 15 kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila Madu, a dismissed soldier on  June 9 at Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.

    Opuiyo said a member of the gang, Ibrahim Topa, sustained gunshot injury on his left leg while trying to escape.

    He said that the service, in collaboration with the military, on May 11, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five suspected Kidnappers and cattle rustlers.

    The suspects are: Sani Hassan, aka Ashana, Suleiman Abdullahi, aka Dogo Sule, Bashiru Abdullahi, aka Lamo, Amadu Abdllahi, aka Mallam and Auwalu Sanda, aka Maitaru.

    The operative said that the service had also arrested Aminu Aliyu for the kidnap of Capt. Ifeanyi Amos along the Jaji-Kaduna road on May 27.

    He said the service also arrested Yusuf Aliyu at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa,  Kaduna-North Local Government Area.

    Opuiyo further said that the service arrested several other terrorism and kidnap suspects in Niger, Yobe, Rivers and Ebonyi.

    He restated the service commitment to public peace and order and renewed determination to partner with other security agencies to ensure security.

    He urged the public to go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.

  • DSS arrests Ifeanyi Ubah over fuel theft

    DSS arrests Ifeanyi Ubah over fuel theft

    The Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The DSS disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo.

    Opuiyo said Ubah was arrested on Friday in connection with the theft of petroleum products kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in his Lagos tank farm.

    The products were valued at over N11 billion.

    The agency said Ubah’s action amounted to economic sabotage, with “capacity to negatively impact on national economy.”

    Opuiyo said the Capital Oil and Gas chairman also engaged in other activities inimical to national security and public order.

    He said, “In furtherance of his gimmicks to undermine the government and people of Nigeria, he has incited members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a critical player in the downstream sub-sector of the Petroleum Industry, to refuse/stop the lifting of products.

    “This is part of his plans to curry their sentiments and cause them to embark on strike and also stage protests in his favour with the ulterior motive of arm-twisting the NNPC to abandon the cause of recovering the stolen products. The implications of this on law and order are common knowledge. It is consequent upon this that the Service arrested and will prosecute him forthwith.

    ” The public is hereby reassured that the Service will collaborate with appropriate agencies to ensure that the mischievous activities of any person or group(s) to engage in illegal activities will not affect the effective distribution of products across the country. It will also support such agencies to bring to book individuals or companies involved in any criminal act that undermines the nation’s economy.”

    NAN

     

  • DSS frees four kidnap victims in Rivers

    Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday rescued four oil company workers from their abductors in Rivers State.

    The men, who were not identified, were rescued at White House Estate, Rumukwurushi, Port Harcourt.

    The DSS in a statement issued by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, said the kidnap gang was led by Emmanuel Eyo, earlier arrested in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    “During the rescue operation supported by the military, a staff of the Service sustained gunshot injuries in his leg while three members of the gang were killed in the exchange of fire.

    “One AK.47 rifle, one magazine containing 59 rounds of 7.5mm ammunition and three locally made pistols were recovered from the gang,” Opuiyo said.

    The DSS also announced the arrest of a Boko Haram member in Rigasa area of Igabi local government area of Kaduna.

    The suspect was identified as Alkasim Salisu, who reportedly  fled the military operation in Yobe State.

  • DSS arrests four Boko Haram members in Lagos

    The Department of State Service (DSS) on Tuesday said it has arrested four fleeing Boko Haram members in Lagos.

    DSS in a statement signed by one Tony Opuiyo added that a commander of the terror group was arrested in Okene, Kogi State.

    The statement said the terrorists fled their locations in the North East following the ongoing military operations in that region.

    Those arrested in Lagos are Fanayi Bukar Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar, and Amina Abubakar, while the one taken in Okene was listed as Abdullahi Mohammed.