Stephen Okolo, an operative from the State Security Service (SSS), provided key testimony in a Federal High Court in Ibadan on Monday, shedding light on how technology played a crucial role in the arrest of three Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers and an accomplice, who are facing charges of kidnapping and banditry in Oyo State.
Okolo, who was the first prosecution witness, explained that the three NSCDC officers—Olamide Okesola, Adedeji Adewale, and Asmau Omar—along with Emmanuel Olatunji, an unlicensed arms dealer, are being tried for their involvement in the criminal activities.
During his testimony before Justice N.E. Maha, Okolo outlined the SSS’s use of advanced surveillance technology to track and capture the suspects, whose activities were linked to a rise in kidnappings and banditry in the Okeogun area of Oyo State and parts of Kwara.
“Given the increasing rate of kidnappings and banditry in the region, the DSS utilized its technical resources to monitor, trace, and apprehend those responsible,” Okolo stated.
“Our operation helped identify several key suspects, including two notorious terrorists—Baguda and Banshile—who were operating in the area.”
The operation, which began in January 2023, led to the arrest of Lawan Buhari and an NSCDC officer suspected of supplying weapons to the terrorists.
Further investigations resulted in the capture of the remaining three defendants.
As part of the evidence, Okolo presented a bag containing 1,000 rounds of live ammunition seized from Lawan Buhari.
He explained that the operation had successfully disrupted the arms supply chain to the terrorists, which contributed to a decline in criminal activity in the region.
Lawan Buhari, who later testified as the second prosecution witness, revealed that he had been paid substantial sums to supply AK47 rifles and ammunition to the defendants for use by terrorists.
He stated that he had been working with the “Operation Burst” security outfit when the NSCDC officers approached him to start supplying weapons.
The four defendants face 15 amended charges, including conspiracy, terrorism, illegal arms dealing, and aiding terrorism.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Maha adjourned the case until February 11 for further proceedings.
(Vanguard)