TROOPS OF OPERATION UDO KA ARREST FLEEING KIDNAPPING SYNDICATE COMMANDER, RECOVER ARMS IN ENUGU
Troops of 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered four AK 47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State.
The suspect was arrested during an intelligence led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State following efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on 2 August 2026.
The arrest followed an earlier operation in which troops neutralised one member of the syndicate and apprehended another. Information obtained from the arrested suspect reportedly assisted investigators in identifying the fleeing commander and locating the group's concealed arms cache.
Acting on the intelligence, troops intensified the search for the suspect and tracked him as he attempted to leave Enugu State. He was intercepted and arrested. Preliminary investigations indicate that he is linked to several kidnapping incidents across the South East and North Central regions.
Items recovered from the suspect included US$1,000, ₦785,900 in cash and other items described as incriminating.
Further intelligence obtained during the investigation led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the syndicate had reportedly concealed their weapons. The troops recovered four AK 47 rifles, seven AK 47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the location.
The arrested suspect remains in custody for further interrogation, with the information obtained expected to support efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.
Operation UDO KA said it would continue intelligence led operations against criminal groups across the South East, with the aim of disrupting kidnapping networks, recovering illegal weapons and denying criminal elements access to safe havens.
