The Department of State Services (DSS) has made significant progress in its fight against banditry and criminal activities in Kaduna State. In the first quarter of 2025, DSS operatives successfully arrested eight suspected bandits and 22 informants during various operations across the state. The arrest of the suspects is part of the DSS’s continued efforts to combat insecurity in northern Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, which has long struggled with the menace of banditry and criminal gangs.
The Kaduna State government has praised the DSS for its successful operations, which have led to the seizure of large quantities of dangerous weapons and ammunition. In a statement, Sule Shuaibu, the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, highlighted the efforts of the DSS in apprehending dangerous criminals and bringing them to justice. The Commissioner visited the DSS headquarters in Kaduna on Sunday, where he expressed the government’s support for the service’s efforts to secure the state.
The DSS operations in Kaduna have been widespread, with 34 successful operations carried out during the first quarter of 2025. These operations not only led to the arrest of bandits but also saw the apprehension of other criminal elements, including four suspected gunrunners, two human traffickers, four cyber fraudsters, and two vandals. The service also recovered several rifles, pump action guns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition during these operations, significantly reducing the threat posed by these armed criminals.
Among the arrested suspects, one case stood out—an individual identified as a serving security personnel from Zamfara State. This officer, whose name has not been disclosed, was found to be involved in a scheme to sell stolen ammunition to bandits. Upon his arrest, he was found to be in possession of 217 rounds of assorted ammunition, which he intended to sell for N4 million. The involvement of a serving security officer in such illegal activities highlights the depth of the corruption within some parts of the security forces and the challenges faced in the fight against banditry.
Another notable arrest involved a suspected gunrunner who was caught with 500 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, which he planned to sell for N1.5 million. This individual was arrested in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna, a region known for its frequent bandit attacks. The DSS operation disrupted the illegal trade of arms, which is a major contributor to the proliferation of violence in northern Nigeria.
The DSS’s success has not gone unnoticed. Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, through his Commissioner for Justice, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Oluwatosin Ajayi as the Director General of the DSS. Governor Sani praised the recent efforts of the service, particularly the apprehension of dangerous criminals and the recovery of arms and ammunition. He also expressed his appreciation for the coordination between the DSS and other security agencies in tackling the complex security challenges in the state and across northern Nigeria.
In his statement, Governor Sani highlighted the importance of the DSS’s efforts in ensuring that criminals who cause harm to the people of Kaduna are held accountable for their actions. He also stressed the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between the government, security agencies, and the public to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
The DSS’s operations are seen as part of a broader strategy to restore security and stability to northern Nigeria, which has been plagued by increasing violence and criminality. Banditry, in particular, has become a significant problem in the region, with armed groups often attacking communities, kidnapping for ransom, and engaging in other violent crimes. The efforts by the DSS and other security agencies are seen as crucial in reducing the influence of these criminal groups and ensuring that they are unable to operate with impunity.
The DSS has vowed to continue its crackdown on banditry and other forms of criminal activity across the country. As part of its ongoing efforts, the service will likely expand its operations and continue to target the supply of illegal arms to criminal groups, while working to dismantle the networks that support banditry and other forms of organized crime.
With the continued success of the DSS in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria, the hope is that more criminals will be apprehended and that the efforts of the government and security agencies will lead to a significant reduction in the violence that has plagued the region for years.
