GOVERNOR Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for rescuing kidnapped victims, dislodging a criminal camp and arresting suspected members of a kidnap syndicate in the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the governor’s commendation followed the recent rescue by DSS operatives of Joseph Obagwu, who was allegedly abducted after going to secure the release of his son, Samuel Olom Obagwu, a student of the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA).
DSS operatives, during the operation on Tuesday, also arrested three suspected members of the kidnap syndicate at Gidigidi Hotel, behind Shinge Market in Lafia Local Government Area of the state. 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 and rescue operation as a demonstration of the effectiveness and dedication of security agencies, urging them to sustain the momentum and remain resolute in the fight against criminal elements.
The governor also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible and useful information to security agencies, stressing that collective vigilance and cooperation were essential to maintaining peace and security across Nasarawa State.
Also commending the DSS, the traditional ruler of Duduguru community in Jenkwe Development Area of Obi Local Government Area, Chief Pius Ogu, said the rescue operations had brought huge relief to his community.
Chief Ogu disclosed that the elder Obagwu was abducted after paying ₦2 million ransom for the release of his son, Samuel, the FULAFIA student who was earlier kidnapped on August 11, 2026.
According to the traditional ruler, the kidnappers freed the son but subsequently abducted his father as a replacement.
“The kidnappers released the son and took in the father as replacement,” Ogu disclosed.
He said DSS operatives, apparently acting on credible intelligence, stormed the kidnappers’ camp in the early hours of Tuesday, forcing the criminals 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,” the traditional ruler said.
Ogu added that the suspects were currently in custody for interrogation, stressing that the rescue of the victim and the arrests had brought enormous 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.