In a swift security operation, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a wanted kidnap suspect, Yahaya Zango, at the hajj camp within the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Zango, who resides in the Paikon-Kore area of Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was apprehended on Sunday, May 18, 2025, during routine passport screenings for intending Muslim pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
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According to a reliable security source who spoke with Daily Trust, Zango had been declared wanted over alleged involvement in several kidnapping incidents in the FCT and surrounding areas. “It was during the screening process that DSS operatives identified and arrested him,” the source confirmed.
The suspect had reportedly been on the run for months following a security-led manhunt. His attempt to travel abroad, under the guise of religious pilgrimage, was halted by intelligence-driven surveillance.
An anonymous official from the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board also confirmed the incident, stating that the board is cooperating with authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the pilgrimage process.
The DSS has not yet released an official statement regarding the arrest.
This development comes amid increasing concerns about Nigeria’s widespread security challenges. From terrorist insurgencies in the Northeast to rampant banditry and kidnappings in the North-Central and Northwest regions, insecurity remains a major threat across the country. Kidnapping, in particular, has evolved into a lucrative criminal enterprise, affecting people from all walks of life.
Authorities have assured the public of continued efforts to track and prosecute those involved in criminal activities, especially ahead of mass movements like Hajj that may provide cover for fugitives.
Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
