RismadarVoice Reporters
August 15, 2026
The Enugu State Police Command says it has arrested 14 suspected members of kidnapping syndicates operating across the state and other parts of the country.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Enugu, where he outlined recent successes recorded by the command against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Giwa said the operations led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight cartridges and seven empty AK-47 magazines.
He said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.
According to him, security operatives recently rescued kidnap victims in Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
He added that one of the victims abducted from a church in Inoyi, Affa community, Udi Local Government Area, was rescued on August 2.
“A joint, intelligence-led operation subsequently led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralising of one suspect, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits,” Giwa said.
He disclosed that two additional suspects linked to the Affa church kidnapping were later arrested in Port Harcourt after fleeing Enugu following sustained security operations.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that after fleeing Enugu, the suspects regrouped with their cohorts in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ₦5 million ransom was paid,” he said.
Suspects linked to multiple kidnappings
Giwa said 12 other suspects had earlier been arrested through human and technical intelligence-led operations conducted in different parts of the country.
The suspects were arrested at various times in June, July and August 2026 in Abuja, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba states.
The police commissioner said investigations showed that the suspects belonged to an organised criminal network operating across several states.
He explained that members of the syndicate usually converged in Enugu to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.
According to him, an Enugu-based member of the network allegedly provided transportation for the gang, firearms and other operational equipment using a tricycle, while another member supplied intelligence on security movements and potential targets.
Giwa said the suspects had confessed to involvement in several kidnapping incidents along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road, Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu axis, Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis and various locations in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
He said investigations had linked the suspects to the May 25 abduction of a man at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa in Ezeagu, during which ₦5.5 million was allegedly collected as ransom.
The gang was also allegedly involved in the May 9 abduction of two men and the killing of a woman at Obioma, Udi Local Government Area, during which $28,000 was reportedly collected as ransom.
Giwa further said the suspects were linked to the April 12 kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu, for which ₦25 million was allegedly paid as ransom.
Police trace alleged proceeds
The commissioner said preliminary investigations showed that proceeds from the alleged criminal activities were concealed and invested in livestock, properties and lavish lifestyles, including overseas trips.
He said investigations were ongoing to determine the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent-crime cases within and outside Enugu State.
The police also said they were working to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional firearms, ammunition and proceeds of crime.
Giwa assured that upon completion of investigations, the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
