Troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested a fleeing commander of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State.

The suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation 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 Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Army arrests notorious kidnap commander in Enugu, recovers four AK-47 rifles and cash

According to the statement, the suspect is linked to several kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.

The arrest followed investigations into the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026. Troops had earlier rescued the victims, neutralised one member of the syndicate and arrested another suspect.

Information obtained during the investigation reportedly helped security operatives identify the fleeing commander and locate the group’s weapons cache.

The suspect was subsequently tracked and arrested in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State while attempting to flee the state.

Items recovered from him included $1,000, N785,900 in cash and other incriminating materials.

Further operations led troops to a hideout in Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

The Army said preliminary investigations showed that the arrested suspect was allegedly involved in several kidnapping activities across the South-East and North-Central regions.

The suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation as security operatives intensify efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.

The Army said Operation UDO KA would continue to conduct intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring security across the South-East.

Nigerian Army Arrests Notorious Kidnap Syndicate Commander in Enugu

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