Law enforcement apprehends 14 alleged abduction perpetrators in Enugu, seizes firearms and bullets

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed that 14 kidnap suspects are currently in custody, thanks to a series of intelligence-driven operations that successfully dismantled major kidnap syndicates operating within the state.

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Commissioner of Police Mr Mamman Giwa revealed this information during a news briefing in Enugu on Friday, highlighting the command's recent successes against coordinated kidnap syndicates.

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The command has recovered a cache of weapons, including five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally-fabricated firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight live cartridges, and seven AK-47 empty magazines.

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In separate joint operations, security operatives successfully rescued kidnap victims in Ogbozara Community, Nsukka LGA, and Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue, seizing various exhibits, including live ammunition.

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One victim abducted from a church in Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi LGA, was rescued on August 2, according to Commissioner Giwa.

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A subsequent joint operation led to the rescue of two additional victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralization of one suspect, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, ammunition, and other incriminating exhibits.

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Further intelligence-led operations by the command's Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit resulted in the arrest of two male suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnap, who had fled to Port Harcourt.

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The duo was traced and arrested in Port Harcourt and brought back to Enugu, where preliminary investigation revealed they had regrouped with cohorts and abducted another victim, who was released after a ₦5 million ransom was paid.

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The commissioner also announced that 12 additional suspects were arrested through human and technical intelligence-led operations conducted in various parts of the country, specifically in June, July, and August 2026.

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These suspects were apprehended in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara, and Taraba States, and investigation revealed they were members of an organized criminal network operating from different parts of the country.

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The network would converge on Enugu State to plan and execute kidnap operations before returning to their respective locations, aided by an Enugu-based member who provided transportation for the gang members, firearms, and other criminal implements.

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Another Enugu-based member provided intelligence that enabled the gang to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and locations, according to Commissioner Giwa.

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The suspects have confessed to their involvement in several recent and past kidnap incidents across Enugu State, including those that occurred along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road and other locations.

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Preliminary investigation has linked the suspects to several armed kidnap incidents, including the abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on May 25, during which ₦5.5 million was obtained as ransom.

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Other incidents include the abduction of two male victims and the shooting death of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on May 9, during which the gang obtained 28,000 US Dollars as ransom, as well as the kidnap of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on April 12, during which ₦25 million was obtained as ransom.

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The suspects also laundered and concealed proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and property, lavish spending, and overseas trips, according to Commissioner Giwa.

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Investigations will establish the suspects' involvement in other kidnap and violent-crime incidents within and outside the state, identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, and recover additional firearms, ammunition, and criminal proceeds.

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Ultimately, the command will charge the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws, following the completion of extensive investigations, Commissioner Giwa said.