Crime
How DSS Unraveled A Criminal Network Of NSCDC Officers, Arms Dealers
Advanced technology was pivotal in the arrest of three Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers accused of involvement in kidnapping and banditry in Oyo State, according to the Department of State Services (DSS).
The revelation came on Monday during a Federal High Court session in Ibadan, where DSS operative Mr. Stephen Okolo testified before Justice N.E. Maha.
Okolo, serving as the first prosecution witness (PW1), detailed how the agency deployed surveillance tools to track the accused officers and their alleged accomplice, an unlicensed arms dealer.
SEE ALSO: Court Orders Woman To Pay ₦150,000 For Failing To Visit Boyfriend After Collecting Transport Fare
The suspects—Olamide Okesola, Adedeji Adewale, and Asmau Omar—were charged alongside Emmanuel Olatunji, accused of illegal arms dealing. Okolo described the efforts that led to their arrests, stating, “My lord, following the increase in the cases of kidnapping and banditry in the Okeogun area of Oyo State and parts of Kwara, the DSS fashioned out how to address the issue by deploying our technical expertise, that is equipment.”
He explained that the DSS utilized surveillance technology to monitor criminal networks and disrupt their activities.
“We identified two kingpins, Baguda and Banshile, who were among the most dangerous terrorists operating in the area,” Okolo revealed.
The operation, which began in January 2023, led to the arrest of Lawan Buhari, an NSCDC officer accused of supplying ammunition to criminal groups.
Buhari’s apprehension paved the way for further investigations, which implicated Okesola, Adewale, Omar, and Olatunji.
During the trial, a bag containing 1,000 rounds of live ammunition recovered from Buhari was tendered as evidence.
Okolo emphasized that the arrests disrupted a major arms supply chain, reducing criminal activities in the region.
Buhari, testifying in court, admitted to supplying AK-47 rifles and ammunition to the accused in exchange for cash.
He claimed the trio approached him while he was serving with Operation Burst, a regional security outfit, prior to his arrest at the 81 Battalion Barracks in Mokola.
The DSS prosecution counsel, Mr. T.A. Nurudeen, informed the court that the defendants face a 15-count amended charge, including conspiracy, terrorism, unlawful arms dealing, and aiding terrorism.
However, all four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial continues as the DSS seeks to present additional evidence to support the charges.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Kingsley Odo, who allegedly travelled to the state to avenge the death of his brother.
The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the Safer Highway patrol team during a routine stop-and-search operation on a commercial bus along Ife Road.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olushola Olayinka, said the operatives recovered a locally made, cut-to-size pistol and a cartridge during a search of the vehicle.
SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Begin Probe Into Abduction of Pastor’s Daughter In Ibadan
Olayinka said further questioning revealed that the suspect had travelled to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.
“Further questioning revealed that he had travelled all the way from Anambra to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing,” he said.
He added that the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing investigation to establish his connections and determine the extent of his alleged activities.
“All thanks to God and the good effort of the men of the Safer Highway, he was intercepted, arrested, and is currently undergoing investigation to know his connections and how wide it is,” Olayinka said.
Suspect Recounts Brother’s Death
During an interview following his arrest, Odo said the incident stemmed from the death of his brother in 2021, when he was working in Benue State.
He explained that his brother was schooling in Nsukka, Enugu State, when he received information that someone had killed him.
“It was in 2021. I was working in Benue State, so I had information that my brother, who was in school in Nsukka, had just died in the school, that somebody killed him in the school,” he said.
Odo added that his mother died a few weeks after his brother’s death.
He said he subsequently received information that the person allegedly responsible for his brother’s death was living in a southwestern state.
“So, last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, a Yoruba state. So, I said okay, I will find out that place where he is living,” the suspect said.
He explained that he was travelling from Nsukka towards Oyo State when police operatives intercepted and arrested him.
When questioned about whether he knew the exact location of the person he intended to confront, Odo initially said he did not know the particular state but confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State.
“The information is with me,” he said, suggesting that he had information that could help him locate the individual.
Suspect Says He Bought Pistol for ₦20,000
When questioned about the firearm recovered from him, Odo said he purchased the pistol from a friend for ₦20,000.
“I bought it from my friend,” he said.
Asked what his friend did with firearms, the suspect said the individual might be a hunter.
“I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter. A hunter who kills with pistol? Yes, he has this one and long, so he was the one that sell this one for me, 20,000,” he said.
Suspect Confirms Membership of Vikings Confraternity
During the interview, Odo was also questioned about reports that his deceased brother belonged to a cult group.
He said he could not confirm whether his brother was a member.
“Maybe he belongs, maybe he did not belong, because I was not there with him,” he said.
However, when asked whether he belonged to a cult group himself, the suspect answered in the affirmative and identified the group as Vikings.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s connections and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged planned revenge killing.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
State Govs, Wike Endorse One-Party State, Join APC Campaign Council
2027: ‘Tinubu Has Done Well’ – Wike Tells Opposition to Speak the Truth
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
Nigeria Records Biggest Rise in Multidimensional Poverty Among Five Countries – UN
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
