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Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 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 suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of the state while attempting to flee Enugu.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, the operation followed investigations into the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026.
The Army said troops had earlier neutralised one member of the syndicate and arrested another suspect. Information obtained from the arrested suspect reportedly led security operatives to the fleeing commander and the location of the group’s hidden weapons.
Preliminary investigations, according to the statement, showed that the arrested suspect was linked to several kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.
Items recovered from him included $1,000, N785,900 in cash and other incriminating materials.
Further intelligence led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed by members of the syndicate.
The Army said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, recovering weapons and denying criminals access to hideouts.
The arrested suspect is currently undergoing interrogation, with security agencies expected to use information obtained from him to track down other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.
Operation UDO KA said it would sustain intelligence-led operations across the South-East to dismantle criminal networks and improve security for residents and businesses in the region.
