Troops Arrest Kidnapping Syndicate Commander, Recover Four AK-47 Rifles in Enugu

By Harriet Tornguvan 

Troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a notorious kidnapping syndicate commander and recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition in Enugu State.

The operation, according to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, followed sustained intelligence-gathering efforts to dismantle a criminal syndicate linked to the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area of the state on August 2, 2026.

The suspect was arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State while attempting to flee the state.

The arrest followed an earlier operation in which troops neutralised one member of the syndicate and apprehended another suspect. Intelligence obtained from the arrested suspect subsequently led security operatives to identify the fleeing commander and locate the gang's concealed arms cache.

According to the Army, preliminary investigations have established the suspect's links to several kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.

Items recovered from the arrested suspect included $1,000, ₦785,900 in cash and other incriminating materials.

Further exploitation of intelligence provided by the suspects led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the syndicate had reportedly hidden their weapons.

A follow-up operation in the forest resulted in the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

The Army described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, apprehending fleeing suspects and denying criminals access to weapons and safe havens.

The arrested syndicate commander is currently undergoing further interrogation to provide intelligence that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal network and their collaborators.

The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies, said it would sustain aggressive and intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the South-East.

It assured residents that troops would continue to pursue individuals threatening the peace and security of law-abiding citizens while working to create a safe environment for socio-economic activities to thrive across the region.