DSS arrests ‘kidnappers’ of six-year-old in Kano

IPC expresses concern over assault of photojournalist
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested suspected kidnappers of six-year old Abdallah Salisu in Kano State.

The Commander of DSS, Kano Command, Muhammad Salisu, told journalists, yesterday, that the culprits, whose ages ranged between 16 and 21 years, were nabbed by operatives at the point of ransom payment.

The DSS boss explained that the incident, which occurred on July 16 when one Abdulhadi Ibrahim, a cousin to the victim, allegedly connived with four other boys to execute the nefarious act.

Ibrahim, who is a family member, was said to have orchestrated the move after gaining access to the victim’s house as a cousin and succeeded in luring the minor out.

According to the operative, the suspects had perfected plan with Yusuf Abubakar and Adamu Shehu, tricycle operators, to transport the boy to their hideout at bypass area along Zaria road, where they intend to collect the ransom.

“The victim was in their custody for three days while they negotiated with the family on the ransom. The mastermind has confessed that they initially demanded N5 million ransom, but eventually arrived at N150,000 to celebrate Sallah.

“The case was brought to DSS by the father of the kidnapped boy and we deployed our operatives to trail the culprits. After few days, our operative tracked down the culprits at the point of paying and receiving of ransom, while the victim was also rescued unhurt,” the DSS boss stated.

BUT the International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed concern over the alleged maltreatment of a photojournalist by security operatives.

The Vanguard photojournalist, Oluwagbemiga Olamikan, was reportedly maltreated by DSS.

Reports from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, had it that the DSS operatives prevented some reporters from covering the trial of some supporters of Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a. Sunday Igboho.

Olamikan was said to have been assaulted during the trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.

The IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, stated yesterday: “This occurrence is another indication that journalists’ rights and press freedom are ceaselessly being disregarded in the country.

“Journalists are legitimately authorised to carry out their duties without interference, and their harassment in the course of duty in matters of immense public interest is appalling and unacceptable.”

IPC demanded immediate investigation and prosecution of the security operatives responsible for the assault, to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in similar act of brutality.

“An unreserved apology should be tendered to Mr. Olamikan while he should be well compensated,” the IPC boss added.