By Our Reporter
Troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected commander of a notorious kidnapping syndicate and recovered arms and ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State.
The operation, which was intelligence-led, also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the suspect was arrested in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State following sustained efforts to dismantle the syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026.
The arrest followed an earlier operation during which troops neutralised one member of the syndicate and apprehended another suspect.
The Army said intelligence obtained from the arrested suspect enabled security operatives to identify the fleeing commander and locate the syndicate’s concealed arms cache.
Acting on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt and eventually tracked and intercepted the suspect as he attempted to escape from Enugu State.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Army, indicated that the 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 items described as incriminating.
Further exploitation of intelligence from the suspects led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the syndicate were said to have concealed their weapons.
The troops subsequently recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.
The Army described the operation as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, apprehending fleeing suspects and denying criminals access to weapons and safe havens.
The arrested suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.
The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, said it would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations, in collaboration with other security agencies, against criminal elements across the South-East.
It reiterated the commitment of troops to pursuing individuals who threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens while creating a secure environment for socio-economic activities to thrive across the region.