Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion have arrested a suspected commander of a notorious kidnapping syndicate during an intelligence-led operation in Enugu State.
The suspect, who was reportedly attempting to flee the state, is believed to have been involved in several kidnapping operations across parts of the South-East and North-Central regions.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, August 10, 2026.
According to the statement, the arrest was carried out by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The operation followed a series of intelligence-gathering and follow-up activities launched after security personnel rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested one suspected member of the criminal group.
The Army said the initial arrest provided investigators with valuable information that helped security operatives identify the alleged leader of the syndicate and trace the location of an arms cache reportedly hidden in a forest.
The suspect was eventually tracked down and arrested in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State while allegedly attempting to escape from the state.
“Troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious kidnapping syndicate commander and the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State,” the Army stated.
The military said the operation was linked to efforts to dismantle the criminal network allegedly responsible for the abduction of two people in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026.
It explained that troops had earlier killed one suspected member of the syndicate during an operation and arrested another suspect.
Further interrogation and intelligence exploitation from the arrested suspect reportedly enabled security operatives to establish the identity of the alleged syndicate commander and determine his movements.
Acting on the intelligence, troops intensified their search and eventually intercepted the fleeing suspect before he could leave the state.
The Army said preliminary investigations had established possible links between the arrested commander and several kidnapping incidents recorded in the South-East and North-Central parts of the country.
Items reportedly recovered from the suspect included US$1,000, ₦785,900 in cash and other materials described by the military as incriminating.
Army Recovers Weapons From Forest Hideout
Following information obtained during the investigation, troops subsequently moved to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the alleged criminal group were believed to have concealed their weapons.
A search of the area led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The Army described the discovery as a significant development in its efforts to prevent criminal groups from maintaining access to firearms and other resources used to carry out violent crimes.
According to the military, the latest operation demonstrates the importance of intelligence-sharing and collaboration among security agencies in tackling organised criminal networks.
The arrested suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation, with the Army saying information obtained from him would be used to track down other alleged members of the syndicate and their collaborators.
The development comes amid continued security operations across parts of the South-East, where the military and other security agencies have intensified efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of organised crime.
The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, said it would continue working with other security agencies to disrupt criminal networks and prevent them from establishing safe havens within the region.
The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing individuals involved in activities that threaten the safety of residents, while stressing the need to create a secure environment for businesses and other socio-economic activities to thrive.
The military urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with useful information that could assist ongoing efforts to identify criminal elements and prevent attacks.
