DSS Holds Ex-Gov Suswam Over SMG, AK-47, Pistol

The Department of State Services, on Sunday, said it had recovered some weapons and 21 Certificates of Occupancy among others from two cars on the premises of a company, Dunes Investment and Global Properties Limited, Abuja.
The DSS, in a statement in Abuja by an official, Tony Opuiyo, alleged that the Cs of O,  weapons and other recovered items belonged to a former Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswan.

All attempts to speak with Suswam proved abortive as his telephone indicated that it was switched off while a text message, which was delivered to his telephone, had yet to be responded to as of press time on Sunday.

The PUNCH learnt that Suswan, who honoured the DSS invitation on Sunday, was still being detained as of the time of sending this report on Sunday night.

The DSS said it executed a search warrant on the company, which is located at 44 Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, between 9pm on Saturday, February 25 and 2.42am on Sunday.

According to the DSS, no fewer than a total of 85 rounds of ammunition, one Glock pistol; one mini-uzi, a Submachine Gun, and one AK-47 rifle were recovered from the two cars on the premises.

Other items recovered from the premises, according to the security agency, include 23 luxury designer watches and 45 keys to various exotic cars.

It stated, “The operation was informed by intelligence that some incriminating items were stashed in the boots of cars parked at the property, particularly a Mercedes Benz S550 (BWR 135 AH), and Masarati 4.7 (BWR 207 AJ), which were subsequently confiscated.”

The DSS said at 10pm on Saturday, in the presence of two private security officers employed by Dunes Investment, the cars were searched.

It added, “The following items were recovered:

(i) Glock pistol with two magazines and a total of 29 rounds of ammunition

(ii) Mini-Uzi with two magazines containing 10 rounds and four rounds respectively;

(iii) Forty-two extra rounds of ammunition contained in a pack and

(iv) One AK-47.”

The DSS added that it also seized 21 Certificates of Occupancy and one offer of statutory right of occupancy.

It stated, “Following this discovery, the service launched further investigation, which revealed that the cars and the recovered items belong to the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, who has already been invited by the service and presently helping in the investigations.”

The DSS warned persons and groups that it would “no longer tolerate any acts of lawlessness by those who ought to be law-abiding and responsible citizens.”

It warned politicians against hate speeches, saying it would get tough with those heating up the polity.

“The service has also observed with total dismay the inciting utterances of some political actors whose activities heat up the polity.

“It also wishes to express its disappointment with these politicians who, in their desperation, are engaging in hate speeches and even sponsorship of radio campaign jingles when the electoral umpire has not authorised such campaigns in line with the Electoral Act,” the agency stressed.

The DSS also expressed concern with what it called “the unpatriotic involvement of some media outfits in these divisive tendencies which negate their constitutional role as the fourth estate of the realm.”
punch