DSS nabs suspected mastermind of Kogi, Kwara kidnappings

 The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Shafiu Usman, the man authorities describe as the suspected mastermind behind a series of kidnappings spanning Kogi, Kwara, and Niger states, including the deadly assault on a church in Kogi that shocked communities late last year.

The capture came after DSS operatives tracked Usman to a hideout in Gombe State, where he had reportedly gone into hiding following the high-profile incident. Security sources confirmed the arrest, noting that it followed intelligence-led surveillance and careful monitoring of his movements after he fled the scene of one of his alleged operations.

The most prominent case linked to Usman is the December 14, 2025, attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro Kiri, located in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. During that Sunday service, gunmen stormed the church, killing some worshippers and abducting more than 20 others. The brazen nature of the raid targeting a place of worship in broad daylight drew widespread outrage and heightened fears about insecurity in parts of North-Central Nigeria. Some of the kidnapped victims tragically died while in captivity, while others were eventually released after negotiations or payments, though details of those processes remain limited.

During questioning, Usman allegedly confessed to planning and orchestrating the Ayetoro church attack. He reportedly admitted his role in multiple other kidnapping incidents across Kogi, Kwara, and Niger states, as well as broader involvement in banditry activities. Sources close to the investigation said he revealed working closely with Ibrahim Dange Battijo (also referred to as Ibrahim Battijo), a wanted bandit leader believed to operate across several states in the North-Central and North-West regions, including Zamfara. Usman reportedly told interrogators that Battijo supplied him with arms and ammunition, pointing to a wider network fueling these crimes.

The DSS described the arrest as a significant step forward in its efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates responsible for banditry, kidnappings, and arms trafficking in the region. Operatives have been intensifying operations in Gombe and surrounding areas, which have recently led to the neutralization of arms networks, the rescue of kidnap victims, and the disruption of cross-state criminal groups. This latest apprehension fits into that pattern, with officials emphasizing that Usman is now in custody and cooperating with investigators as preparations for his possible arraignment continue.

The case underscores the persistent challenge of insecurity in Nigeria's Middle Belt and adjacent regions, where armed groups often exploit rural vulnerabilities to carry out abductions for ransom. Kidnappings have become a grim reality for many communities, affecting farmers, travelers, students, and even religious gatherings. The Ayetoro incident, in particular, highlighted how no place—even a church during worship—seemed immune from the threat.

Local residents and church leaders in Kogi have welcomed news of the arrest, viewing it as a measure of justice for the victims and their families. Many hope it will lead to further arrests within the network and deter similar attacks in the future. Security analysts note that while capturing key figures like Usman represents progress, sustained efforts including community cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, and addressing root causes like poverty and ungoverned spaces are essential to curbing the cycle of violence.

As the investigation deepens, the DSS has appealed for anyone with additional information about these incidents or related criminal activities to come forward. No formal charges have been publicly detailed yet, but the confessions and evidence gathered so far are expected to strengthen the case against Usman and potentially others connected to him.