Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, was linked to an arms cache discovered by the Department of State Services (DSS) at a property in Abuja, the agency said in February 2017.
The DSS said the discovery followed an intelligence-led operation and the execution of a search warrant at the premises of Dunes Investment and Global Properties Limited, located at No. 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, on February 24, 2017.
According to the Service, some items were found concealed in the boots of vehicles parked at the property, including a Mercedes-Benz S550 with registration number BWR 135AH and a Maserati 4.7 with registration number BWR 207AJ. The vehicles were subsequently taken into custody by the DSS.
In a statement issued at the time, the agency said another search was conducted at the property on February 25 in the presence of two private security officers employed by Dunes Investment.
Items listed as recovered during the search included a Glock pistol with two magazines containing a total of 29 rounds of ammunition, as well as a Mini-Uzi with two magazines containing 10 and four rounds respectively.
The DSS also reported the recovery of an additional 42 rounds of ammunition contained in a pack and one AK-47 rifle.
Other items said to have been recovered were 21 Certificates of Occupancy, one Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy, 23 luxury designer watches and 45 keys to various exotic vehicles.
Following the discovery, the DSS said it commenced further investigations into the ownership of the vehicles and other items recovered from the property.
According to the Service, its investigation linked the vehicles and recovered items to Suswan, who had been invited by the agency and was assisting with the investigation at the time.
The DSS also used the statement to warn individuals and groups against acts it considered capable of threatening public peace and national security.
It expressed concern over what it described as inflammatory statements by some political actors, alleging that some politicians were engaging in hate speech and sponsoring radio campaign jingles before such campaigns had been authorised by the electoral authorities.
The agency also criticised some media organisations for allegedly participating in what it described as divisive activities, stressing that the media had a constitutional responsibility to promote national interest and public accountability.
The DSS said it would continue to exercise its statutory responsibilities in maintaining internal security and would investigate anyone, regardless of status, suspected of engaging in activities capable of causing a breach of public peace.
0 Comments