Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, working with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered arms and ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State.
The operation, conducted in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State, followed intelligence gathered during investigations into the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Monday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division.
The Army said the latest operation followed an earlier encounter in which troops reportedly killed one suspected member of the syndicate and arrested another. Information obtained during the subsequent interrogation allegedly helped security personnel identify the fleeing commander and locate the group’s weapons cache.
Troops subsequently tracked and arrested the suspected commander while he was allegedly attempting to leave Enugu State.
According to the Army, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect may be linked to several kidnapping incidents across the South East and North Central regions. Authorities said US$1,000 and ₦785,900, among other items, were recovered from him.
Further intelligence exploitation led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the security forces recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition allegedly concealed by members of the syndicate.
The Army said the arrested suspect remains in custody for further interrogation, with the aim of obtaining additional information that could lead to the arrest of other suspected members and collaborators.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Operation UDO KA and other security agencies to disrupt kidnapping and other organised criminal activities in the South East.
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Security