Details have emerged on how operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State rescued two pastors and a church member recently abducted by armed men in Kaduna State. During the operation, the operatives arrested three of those who kidnapped the clergymen.
Pastors Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, around Gwagwada in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State while travelling to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State, to officiate at a wedding ceremony.
Security sources disclosed that, shortly after the attack, DSS officers in Niger State command began an extensive intelligence surveillance, which included tracking all communication between the kidnappers and the abductees’ family and friends.
According to the source, the kidnappers were demanding hefty sums of money as ransom. The kidnappers reportedly insisted that, since two of their victims were pastors, raising the ransom money shouldn’t be a challenge for their church and the members.
The source, who didn’t give the exact location and time of the rescue and capture of the kidnappers, simply said that the DSS operatives tracked them (kidnappers and their victims) to “a certain bush.”
Confirming the success of the rescue operation, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said the victims were safely rescued by DSS operatives in Niger State.
Rev. Hayab commended the secret police for what he described as “courageous, timely, and selfless service to the nation,” noting that “the successful rescue brought immense joy and relief to the church and families of the victims.”
According to the CAN chairman, the safe return of the abducted pastors, and the sustained operations by the DSS across the states, had rekindled hope that criminals could be defeated through sustained and coordinated security efforts.
The CAN chairman noted that insecurity could only be effectively tackled through cooperation among security agencies, faith leaders, and the general public, warning that criminals thrive when communities are disunited.
.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
