Enugu police arrest 14 kidnap suspects, recover five AK-47 rifles

Crime Diary

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to multiple abduction cases involving substantial ransom payments, as part of intensified operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, GRA, Enugu, where he vowed to sustain the offensive against criminal elements.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, Giwa said the arrests followed sustained human and technical intelligence-led operations, including joint operations conducted across state boundaries.

The Commissioner highlighted recent operations that resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims at Ogbozara Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

He also disclosed that following the abduction of three victims at a church in Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi Local Government Area, one victim was rescued on August 2.

Subsequent operations led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralisation of another suspect and the recovery of ransom money, firearms and ammunition.

Further operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, allegedly linked to the Affa church kidnapping.

The suspects had reportedly fled Enugu following operational pressure but were traced and arrested in Rivers State.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects later regrouped with other gang members in Port Harcourt, where they allegedly abducted another victim who was released after a ₦5 million ransom was paid.

The Commissioner further disclosed that 12 other suspects were arrested between June and August 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as well as Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba states.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly belong to an organised criminal network operating across different parts of the country.

According to Giwa, the suspects allegedly converge in Enugu to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.

The Commissioner said the network was allegedly aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for gang members, firearms and other criminal implements.

Another member of the network allegedly supplies intelligence to help the gang evade security surveillance, identify potential targets and select locations for their operations.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in several kidnapping incidents across Enugu State.

These include operations along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis, as well as various locations in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

Preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to the abduction of a victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu Local Government Area, on May 25, 2026, during which ₦5.5 million was allegedly obtained as ransom.

They were also allegedly involved in the abduction of two victims and the shooting and killing of a female victim at Obioma, Udi Local Government Area, on May 9, during which $28,700 was reportedly obtained.

Other cases include the abduction of two victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi Local Government Area, on April 10, for which $70,000 was allegedly obtained, and the kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu Local Government Area, on April 12, during which ₦25 million was reportedly paid as ransom.

The police said investigations had also revealed that the suspects allegedly concealed and laundered proceeds from their criminal activities through investments in livestock and properties, lavish spending and other forms of conspicuous consumption.

The proceeds were also allegedly used to finance leisure and overseas trips, including visits to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon.

The Command said investigations are ongoing as security operatives continue efforts to dismantle the criminal network and bring other members involved in the alleged kidnapping operations to justice.

CP Giwa reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and make Enugu increasingly unconducive for kidnappers and other violent criminals.