Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested three more suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping of Professor Samuel Avengbe Okunsebor, Dean of Agriculture at Nasarawa State University.
‎
‎The suspects were reportedly arrested on Friday night at a local brothel around Mararraban Akunza, along the Lafia-Makurdi highway in Nasarawa State.
‎
‎A security source disclosed that the latest arrests were part of ongoing efforts by the DSS to track down members of the kidnapping gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of the university don.
‎
‎Professor Okunsebor was abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Mile Uku, a border community between Lafia and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas.
‎
‎He was subsequently rescued by DSS operatives two days after his abduction.
‎
‎Following the rescue operation, two suspects, including a woman, were initially arrested in connection with the incident.
‎
‎The security source said the three additional suspects were identified as 25-year-old Yakubu Abubakar, also known as Black/Starboy, from the Doemak tribe in Plateau State; 37-year-old Usman Abubakar Mairiga; and 27-year-old Sale Babauro Abubakar.
‎
‎The source said Mairiga is Hausa, while Sale Babauro Abubakar is Fulani.
‎
‎According to the source, the three suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS Nasarawa State Command for further investigation.
‎
‎The source added that their continued detention followed a valid detention warrant issued by a magistrate’s court.
‎
‎The DSS has yet to publicly provide further details on the latest arrests or disclose the specific roles the suspects allegedly played in the kidnapping operation.