crime

DSS Arrests Suspected Kidnap Kingpin Shafiu Usman

Published

8 months ago

February 28, 2026

Q Tinny

Shafiu Usman arrest follows DSS operation targeting alleged mastermind of Kogi church attack and kidnappings across four states

Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested Shafiu Usman, an alleged mastermind of multiple kidnapping operations across Kogi, Niger, Kwara and Zamfara states, in a major security breakthrough targeting organised criminal networks.

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Security sources confirmed that the Shafiu Usman arrest followed an intelligence-led operation carried out in Gombe State, where the suspect had reportedly gone into hiding after coordinating violent attacks in parts of North Central Nigeria.

According to officials familiar with the operation, Usman is accused of masterminding the December 14, 2025 assault on the Evangelical Church Winning All Church in Ayetoro, located in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

During the attack, armed men riding motorcycles invaded Ayetoro-Kiri community, abducting at least 30 residents, including children and elderly worshippers, from churches and private homes in what authorities described as a coordinated and brazen operation.

A senior DSS officer, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to brief the media, said the suspect confessed during interrogation to organising the church attack as well as several kidnapping missions across Niger, Kwara and Kogi states.

Investigators also alleged that Usman worked closely with Ibrahim Battijo, identified as a notorious bandit operating across Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Zamfara states.

The officer disclosed that Usman fled to Gombe shortly after the Kogi incident but was tracked and apprehended following sustained surveillance by DSS operatives.

Security authorities said the arrest represents a significant step in ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-state kidnapping syndicates and disrupt arms trafficking networks linked to banditry and terrorism.

Officials added that recent DSS operations in Gombe State have also led to the rescue of kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of criminal supply chains supporting armed groups.

Also read: Northern Youths Seek Prosecution of Sowore Over DSS Video Leak

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to be arraigned upon completion of investigations.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

18 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.