DSS agents, military personnel steal N310m from BDC, three arrested

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Sunday said it has arrested two of its five officers who participated in armed robbery attack on a Bureau de Change in Abuja on November 20 and made away with N310 million naira.

Three agents of the Service who also participated in the robbery are still at large, the DSS said in a statement.

It also confirmed that the military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in the crime.

According to the statement, Abdulrasheed Ahmadu Maigari of the DSS, conspired with four other colleagues of his namely Solomon Inusa, Peter Okoye, Patrick Ishaya and George Mwatapwa Ibbi, to carry out this reprehensible act while the five military personnel were led by one Capt. Hussein Ishaku Mshelia.

Maigari and Ibbi have both been arrested by the DSS while Mshelia has been arrested by the Army authorities.

The DSS futher said in the statement that “efforts are ongoing to apprehend those still at large. A total of Sixty-Six Million Four Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty-five Naira (N66,437,445.00) and Six Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($6,200) have so far been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amounts. It is to be noted that security agencies now act in concert, thus the joint investigation undertaken with the Police, Army and the DSS.

“This action of the Service is in line with the posture of the current Administration and DSS management focus on professionalism, transparency and accountability. Those so far arrested have been suspended pending the completion of investigations. For the avoidance of doubt, the Service wants to reiterate its commitment to the basic ideals and principles as established by its forebears and will not spare anyone found to be contravening the rules and regulations or the laws of the land.

“We therefore encourage members of the public with useful information that could lead to the arrest of those at large to volunteer same to the Service or other security agency. The DSS also wishes to use this opportunity to assure all law abiding citizens of their safety and urge them to partner with the Service in the smooth discharge of its responsibilities.”