DSS rescues abducted Kano LG secretary after fierce gun battle

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued the abducted Administrative Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Hamza Durya, following a gun battle with his captors.

Security sources said the operation, carried out in Rano Local Government Area, led to the arrest of two suspected abductors, while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The victim was found at a criminal hideout where he had been held since his abduction.

According to sources, the rescue followed credible intelligence provided by residents, which enabled DSS operatives to locate the kidnappers and execute a coordinated operation.

Durya was abducted a few days earlier at his residence in Durya village, Kibiya Local Government Area.

His abductors had reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million for his release. The suspects were believed to have links to criminal elements operating from Rijana, a notorious hideout along the Kaduna–Abuja highway.

Security sources further disclosed that an insider allegedly facilitated the abduction, paving the way for the attackers to carry out the operation.

The rescued council official is said to be in stable condition and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has commended the DSS for what it described as a successful and swift operation.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the rescue and arrest of the suspects marked a significant breakthrough in the state’s fight against criminality.

He noted that security agencies were immediately mobilised following the abduction, leading to the successful outcome.

Waiya stated that the operation demonstrated the dedication and professionalism of security agencies, as well as the effectiveness of ongoing strategies to tackle crime across the state’s 44 local government areas.

He also commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for providing support and resources to security agencies, which he said had strengthened their operational capacity.

The commissioner reassured residents of the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

He added that the state government would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the safety of lives and property across Kano State.