Hayab commended the security agency for what he described as “courageous, timely and selfless service,” noting that the successful operation had brought immense relief to the church and families of the victims.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly rescued two pastors and a church member who were abducted by armed bandits in Kaduna State.
The victims, Idi Buhari, Emmanuel Jacob, and Suleiman Adamu, were kidnapped on January 9, 2026, in the Gwagwada area of Chikun Local Government Area while travelling through Kugosi to Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to officiate a wedding ceremony.
Receiving the freed clerics, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Joseph Hayab, disclosed that they were rescued from a forest hideout by DSS operatives during ongoing security operations in Niger State.
Hayab commended the security agency for what he described as “courageous, timely and selfless service,” noting that the successful operation had brought immense relief to the church and families of the victims.
He said the safe return of the abducted men had renewed public confidence that criminal elements could be defeated through sustained and coordinated efforts, adding that insecurity could only be tackled through collaboration among security agencies, faith leaders and citizens.
Criminals, he warned, thrive when communities are divided.
In a related development, DSS operatives from the Niger and Kaduna State commands, in a joint operation, arrested three suspects linked to the abduction.
The suspects were also found to be involved in the transportation of arms and ammunition along the Kwara–Niger–Katsina–Kaduna corridor.
One of the suspects, identified as Kwalo, told investigators that the syndicate moved ammunition through motor parks and rural routes to evade security checkpoints.
He explained that a consignment was received from a courier at Tegina Motor Park in Niger State and handed to another suspect, Kawu, who in turn passed it to Iro Malam Iro for onward delivery.
Iro allegedly conveyed the ammunition from Tegina to Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, where it was delivered to an unidentified recipient after he was instructed to use specific routes to avoid detection.
Investigators said Kwalo was paid ₦50,000 for collecting the consignment, Kawu received ₦5,000 as a middleman, while Iro earned ₦20,000 as courier.
During interrogation, Kwalo claimed he was deceived into handling the package, alleging that the sender told him it contained tantalite, a precious mineral concealed in sacks of millet to prevent theft.
Reacting to the development, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN), said the operation demonstrated the commitment of the DSS and other agencies to protecting lives and property.
Shuaibu commended the DSS leadership for its sustained efforts and assured residents that the Kaduna State Government, under Governor Uba Sani, remained determined to maintain and deepen peace across the state.
He urged citizens to support security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements, stressing that security is a collective responsibility and that continued collaboration is essential to curbing criminality.