Troops arrest fleeing kidnapping syndicate commander, recover four AK-47 rifles in Enugu

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

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

The operation, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, followed sustained intelligence efforts to dismantle a criminal network linked to the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area of the state on August 2, 2026.

Ayeni said the suspect was arrested in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State after troops intensified a manhunt for him following an earlier operation that led to the death of one member of the syndicate and the arrest of another.

He explained that intelligence obtained from the arrested suspect enabled security operatives to identify the fleeing commander and locate the syndicate’s concealed arms cache.

According to him, troops tracked and intercepted the suspect as he attempted to flee Enugu State, while preliminary investigations indicated that he was linked to several kidnapping operations across the South East and North Central regions.

Items recovered from the suspect included $1,000, N785,900 cash and other items said to be incriminating.

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

The troops subsequently recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.

The Army said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, apprehending fleeing suspects and denying criminal elements access to weapons and safe havens.

The arrested suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation, with the Army saying the process is expected to provide intelligence for follow-up operations targeting other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.

The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, said it would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements across the South East, with a view to protecting residents and creating a secure environment for socio-economic activities in the region.