45 exotic car keys, 23 designer watches
By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
Abuja
Immediate past governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam is currently being quizzed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged possession of incriminating documents, including three guns, ammunition, several land titles and 45 car keys.
The items, said to have belonged to the former governor, include an AK-47 rifle, a Glock pistol with two magazines and 29 rounds of ammunition.
Another gun, a mini-uzi with two magazines containing 10 rounds and 4 rounds of ammunition, respectively, were also discovered. A pack of ammunition containing 42 rounds of ammunition was also among the recovered items.
A statement issued by the service, yesterday, said the former governor was invited following discovery of the said items after a search on two vehicles linked to him at the premises of Dunes Investment and Global Properties Ltd, in Maitama, Abuja.
“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 135AH), and Masarati 4.7 (BWR 207 AJ), which were subsequently confiscated.”
According to the statement, signed by Tony Upuiyo, DSS operatives conducted search on the two vehicles on Saturday, upon which the alleged incriminating items were found.
Other items recovered include from the vehicles, according to the security service, were; 21 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and one Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy; 23 luxury designer watches and 45 keys to various exotic cars.
“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 Suswan, who has already been invited by the Service and presently helping in the investigations.
“It is in the light of this latest development that the Service wishes to sound a note of warning to persons and groups that it will no longer tolerate any acts of lawlessness by those who ought to be law abiding and responsible citizens.”
The service also warned a section of the media as well as politicians to desist from heating up the polity by spreading hate speeches.
Upuiyo said the service has “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 engaged 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.”
It described as worrisome “the unpatriotic involvement of some media outfits in these divisive tendencies which negate their constitutional role as the fourth estate of the realm.
“In line with its statutory mandate of maintaining the peace and internal security of the country, the Service hereby restates its commitment to go after anyone no matter how highly placed who engages in acts capable of causing the breach of peace in the country.”
