*Three suspects arrested, camp razed
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS), for rescuing kidnapped victims and dislodging a criminal camp on the outskirts of Atabula village, Aloshi District, Obi LGA of the state.
Governor Sule spoke on the heels of the recent rescue, by DSS operatives, of one Joseph Obagwu, who had gone to secure the release of his son, Samuel Olom Obagwu, a student of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA).
DSS officers had on the same Tuesday arrested three members of the kidnap syndicate at Gidigidi Hotel, behind Shinge Market in Lafia LGA. The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Musa, Titus Baka Fidelis, and Sani Adamu.
It was revealed that Adamu had received ₦200,000 from the victim’s family, as part of the ransom demanded by the syndicate.
Governor Sule described the arrests as a demonstration of the effectiveness and dedication of the security agencies, urging them to sustain the momentum and remain resolute in the fight against criminal elements.
He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible and useful information to security agencies, stressing that collective vigilance and cooperation are essential to maintaining peace and security in the state.
Also commending the DSS, the traditional ruler of Duduguru community, in Jenkwe Development Area of Obi Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, Chief Pius Ogu, said the rescue operations had brought huge relief to his community.
He disclosed that the elder Obagwu was abducted after paying Two million Naira ransom for the release of his son, a FULAFIA student who was earlier kidnapped on August 11, 2026.
“The kidnappers released the son and took in the father as replacement,” disclosed the traditional ruler.
He continued, “the DSS operatives, apparently acting on credible intelligence,stormed the kidnappers’ camp in the early hours of Tuesday, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes. In the process, they successfully rescued the victim, Joseph Obagwu, who had been held hostage since August 15, 2026. The operatives thereafter razed the criminals’ camp”.
He added that the suspects are currently in custody for interrogation,” stressing that the rescue and arrest had brought so much relief to his community.
“We used to hear that the DSS has been unrelenting in its effort to wipe out kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes across the country. We witnessed this first hand, and are very happy for it.
“As the agency continues to deploy a combination of intelligence-driven operations, sustained surveillance, and strategic collaboration with sister security agencies to track down perpetrators and dismantle their hideouts, we, the citizens pledge our support to help them continue on this great path,” he declared.
