Army arrests notorious kidnap commander in Enugu, recovers four AK-47 rifles and cash

Troops of 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested a fleeing commander of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State.

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations  
82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, 10 August 2026 said the suspect is linked to several kidnapping activities across the South East and North Central regions. 

According to the statement, troops, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), raided a hideout belonging to the syndicate in Udi Forest and recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition. 

The arrest  of the commander and recovery followed follow-up operations conducted after the successful rescue of two kidnapped victims and arrest of one suspect. 

Items recovered from the kingpin include US$1,000, N785,900 in cash. 

“Troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious kidnapping syndicate commander and the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State,” the statement read.

“The suspect was apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State, following sustained efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate 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.

Subsequent exploitation of the arrested suspect yielded critical intelligence that led to the identification of the fleeing syndicate commander and the location of the group’s concealed arms cache.

“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. 

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is linked to several kidnapping activities across the South East and North Central regions. 

“Items recovered from him include US$1,000, N785,900 in cash and other incriminating items.

“Further exploitation of intelligence obtained from the arrested suspects led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the syndicate had concealed their weapons.

“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.

“The successful operations further demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, apprehending fleeing suspects and denying criminal elements access to weapons and safe havens. 

“The arrested syndicate commander is currently undergoing further interrogation to facilitate follow-on operations aimed at apprehending other members of the criminal network and their collaborators.

“The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains steadfast in sustaining aggressive, intelligence-led operations against criminal elements across the South East. 

“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.”