Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arrested six suspected bandits, three men and three women at the Kaduna International Airport.
The arrest reportedly happened shortly after they returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
According to Reporte, the arrests occurred at about 3:40am on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
“A top intelligence source confirmed, today, at 3:40 a.m, operatives of DSS arrested six suspected bandits, three men and three women, at the Kaduna Airport upon their return from Hajj.”
According to sources, the operation was based on intelligence that linked the suspects to banditry activities in northern Nigeria.
Similarly, authorities believe the individuals may have used the pilgrimage as a cover to evade arrest or to seek international refuge.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the suspects are yet been made public as investigations continue.
Truthlive News recalls that a similar incident occurred on May 19, 2025, when alleged kidnap kingpin Sani Galadi was nabbed at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport in Sokoto, also while attempting to travel for Hajj.
Galadi was detained at the Hajj terminal during routine screening and was later confirmed to be under investigation.
Based on this latest arrest, it could be said that DSS is increasing use of pre- and post-Hajj screenings as a strategy to intercept high-profile criminal suspects.
Also, agency has ramped up coordination with state pilgrims’ boards to prevent wanted individuals from exploiting religious pilgrimages as escape routes.