You will recall that the Command has, at various times and locations, rescued kidnapped victims, arrested and, in some instances, neutralised kidnapping suspects, while recovering firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits.
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Recently, in separate joint operations, security operatives rescued kidnapped victims at Ogbozara Community in Nsukka LGA and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State, with several exhibits, including live ammunition, recovered.
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Most recently, one of the victims abducted from a church at Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi LGA, was rescued on 2nd August, 2026. Further joint, intelligence-led operations subsequently led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralisation of one suspect, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits.
Further intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) led to the arrest of two additional male suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnapping. The duo, who fled to Port Harcourt following the operational pressure mounted by joint security operatives, were traced and arrested in Port Harcourt and brought back to Enugu.
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Preliminary investigation reveals that, after fleeing Enugu, the suspects regrouped with their cohorts in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of ₦5,000,000.00 was paid.
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In furtherance of the Command’s sustained offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes, twelve (12) additional suspects were earlier arrested through human and technical intelligence-led operations conducted in different parts of the country. The suspects were arrested on various dates in June, July and August 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.
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Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of an organised criminal network operating from different parts of the country. They converge in Enugu State to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.
The network is aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for the gang members, their firearms and other criminal implements to and from operational locations. Another Enugu-based member provides intelligence that enables the gang to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and locations.
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The suspects have, during interrogation, confessed to involvement in several recent and past kidnapping incidents across Enugu State, including along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis; and various locations in Ezeagu LGA.
Specifically, preliminary investigation has linked the suspects to the following armed kidnapping incidents:
• The abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on 25th May, 2026, during which Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦5,500,000.00) was obtained as ransom.
• The abduction of two male victims and the shooting and murder of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on 9th May, 2026, during which the gang obtained twenty-eight thousand US Dollars ($28,700.00) as ransom.
• The abduction of two male victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA, on 10th April, 2026, for which Seventy Thousand US Dollars ($70,000.00) was obtained as ransom.
• The kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on 12th April, 2026, during which Twenty- Five Million Naira (₦25,000,000.00) was obtained as ransom.
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These are in addition to other kidnapping incidents and ransom payments which the suspects have disclosed during interrogation.
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Investigation has further revealed that the suspects laundered and concealed proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and different properties, lavish spending and other conspicuous consumption, as well as leisure and overseas trips, including trips to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon.
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Exhibits recovered so far include:
a. Five (5) AK-47 rifles;
b. Two (2) pump-action guns;
c. One (1) locally fabricated firearm;
d. Three hundred and ten (310) rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition;
e. Eight (8) live cartridges; and
f. Seven (7) AK-47 empty Magazines.
The Command is conducting further investigations to establish the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent-crime incidents within and outside Enugu State, identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, and recover additional firearms, ammunition and other criminal proceeds. Upon conclusion of investigation, the suspects will be charged to court in accordance with extant laws.
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The arrests and recoveries are a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, ICT-enabled investigation, inter-agency collaboration, inter-state cooperation and coordinated operational policing adopted by the Command.
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I wish to assure the Government and people of Enugu State that the Command remains resolute in its offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism and other violent crimes across the State. Our intelligence assets and operational teams remain fully engaged in identifying criminal networks, dismantling their structures and bringing their members to justice.
