Troops arrest alleged kidnap commander in Enugu, recover rifles, cash

Troops from the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, operating under Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, have apprehended a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State. The joint operation also resulted in the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout.

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Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt, leading to the tracking, interception and arrest of the fleeing syndicate commander as he attempted to escape from Enugu State.

Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, stated that the suspect was arrested during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area. This action follows efforts to dismantle a criminal network implicated in the abduction of two individuals in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026. Ayeni noted that the arrest came after an earlier operation where troops neutralized one syndicate member and apprehended another.

Intelligence gathered from the arrested suspect was instrumental in identifying the fleeing commander and locating the syndicate's concealed arms cache. The statement detailed that troops intensified their manhunt, tracking and intercepting the commander as he attempted to flee Enugu State. Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect is connected to numerous kidnapping incidents across the South-East and North-Central regions.

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During the follow-up operation, troops successfully recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.

Further intelligence led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the recovered weapons were allegedly hidden. The Army emphasized that the arrested suspect is cooperating with ongoing interrogations to aid in apprehending other members of the criminal network and their associates. The operation is presented as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led joint operations in disrupting organized criminal groups and seizing their weapons and safe havens. The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, affirmed its commitment to sustained operations against criminal elements in the South-East, aiming to ensure a secure environment for socio-economic activities.

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Troops will continue to pursue all those who threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens while ensuring a safe and secure environment for socio-economic activities to flourish throughout the region.