The Nigerian Army has arrested a suspected kidnap syndicate commander in Enugu and recovered four AK-47 rifles. The group was allegedly linked to the abduction of two people in Udi LGA on August 2.

File photo: Troops during operation

Troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State.

The operation also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from a forest hideout allegedly used by the syndicate.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to Ayeni, the suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu as troops intensified efforts to dismantle a kidnapping syndicate allegedly linked to the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2.

He said the operation followed an earlier encounter during which troops “neutralised one member of the syndicate and apprehended another.”

Ayeni said information obtained from the arrested suspect enabled security operatives to identify the fleeing commander and launch a manhunt for him.

“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,” the statement said.

The Army said preliminary investigations had linked the suspect to several kidnapping activities across the South-East and North-Central regions.

It added that US$1,000, N785,900 and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspect during the operation.

Further intelligence gathered by the troops reportedly led them to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the syndicate was alleged to have concealed its 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 statement said.

The Army said the suspect remained in custody for further interrogation, which it said would assist ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.

It added that Operation UDO KA would continue to work with other security agencies to sustain operations against criminal elements across the South-East.