DSS uncovers weapons at party’s campaign office in Kano

The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have uncovered dangerous weapons including a gun and swords from the campaign office of a political party along Airport Road in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The weapons were uncovered by the DSS operatives in Kano on Wednesday.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, who disclosed this via a statement issued on Wednesday, said the allegation that the secret police intimidated a political party in Kano State is untrue.

Afunanya, however, said the weapons were recovered following the DSS’ preparedness for the forthcoming general election.

He stated: “To achieve the desired environment for the elections, the Service engaged in proactive and intelligence-led operations across the States.

“For instance, on 22^nd February 2023, the Service conducted a legally backed search operation on a property along Airport Road, Nasarawa LGA, Kano State. During the operation, it recovered dangerous weapons including a gun, daggers, swords, jack-knives from the said building.

“Therefore, the accusation that the Service intimidated a particular political party in that State is untrue; otherwise, how come those weapons were found there? Are those objects of violence campaign materials?

“Whether in Kano or elsewhere, the DSS has provided equal opportunities for all political parties to engage in their lawful activities. We can say this without any form of contradictions or equivocations.”

The DSS spokesman further disclosed that the secret police also arrested a gunrunner, Aliyu Yahaya, who was an associate of a suspected bandit, Kachalla Damina, who operates around Dansadau, Zamfara State.

Afunanya, who revealed that Yahaya was arrested while going to deliver the armaments to Damina on Wednesday, February 22, listed the items recovered from the suspect to include one GPMG Rifle, one chain of ammunition, 190 rounds of GMPG Ammunition, 28 rounds of AK47 ammunition, and one grenade.

He stated that two arms suppliers, Tukur Usman and Illiyasu Adamu, were arrested on Monday, February 20 at Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna, noting that 372 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm ammunition and 26 rounds of live ammunition for GPMG rifle were recovered from them.

He disclosed that the duo were suspected arm suppliers to bandits in Zamfara State.

The DSS spokesperson added the operatives of the secret police, on Wednesday, also arrested two suspects, Shafíu Usman and Ahmed Nasiru, on the Barkin Ladi-Pankshin Road, Plateau State, while on transit to deliver ammunitions to their customers.

Afunanya said 612 rounds of ammunition for GPMG-120 and AK-492 concealed in a bag of rice were seized from the suspects.

“On 16^th February 2023, at Asaba, Delta State, Fajuwon Isaac was arrested. 4,503 rounds of pump action rifle ammunition among others were recovered from him.

“On 18^th February 2023, in Anambra State, the Service arrested the quartet of Sunday Muokwue, Oforjeri Osita, Ude Bernard John, and Okechukwu Emeka and recovered among others from them, one AK-47, 3,985 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

“These operations are a continuation of similar ones executed in December 2022 and January 2023 during which suspects were arrested and arms and ammunition recovered across the geo-political zones of the country,” he noted.

Speaking on the security situation in Sagamu, Ogun State, Afunanya said the DSS was working with relevant agencies to arrest those behind the violent protest, adding that all the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

On the forthcoming general election, the DSS spokesman said secret police would be fair, objective, transparent, and accountable “but like the President has directed, ‘Firm and Courageous”.

“In furtherance of its collaborative efforts, the Service has engaged stakeholders including the Media, Faith, and Community Based Organisations, Civil Society, and others. While this is part of its non-kinetic strategies to maintain peace and public order before, during, and after the elections, it will also not rest on its oars to identify and disrupt subversive tendencies; be they terrorists, kidnappers, hostage takers or outlawed violent separatist agitators and their likes,” Afunanya added.

The Star

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