…Five AK-47 rifles, 310 rounds of ammunition recovered as operatives uncover network behind high-profile kidnapping operations
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Enugu State Police Command has dismantled a suspected interstate kidnapping network following a series of intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of 14 male suspects allegedly linked to multiple kidnapping incidents and a murder case across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, mspsp, smicm, made the disclosure on Friday, August 14, 2026, while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in GRA, Enugu.
The breakthrough, according to the Commissioner, followed sustained human and technical intelligence gathering, coordinated operations and collaboration among security agencies and their counterparts in other states.
CP Giwa said the operations had not only resulted in the arrest of suspected members of the criminal network but also the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, ransom money and other exhibits.
Affa Church Kidnapping: Police Arrest More Suspects
Giving details of the recent operations, the Commissioner said security operatives had successfully rescued victims abducted from a church at Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi Local Government Area, with the first victim rescued on August 2.
Subsequent joint operations led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects and the neutralisation of another suspect.
According to him, firearms, ammunition, ransom money and other incriminating exhibits were also recovered during the operations.
He disclosed that the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping and Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) subsequently tracked down two additional suspects allegedly connected to the Affa church kidnapping.
The suspects had reportedly fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the security operations in Enugu. Investigators, however, traced and arrested them before bringing them back to Enugu.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that after fleeing Enugu, the suspects allegedly regrouped with other members of their network in Port Harcourt, where they reportedly abducted another victim.
The victim was eventually released after the payment of ₦5 million ransom, according to the Police.
How the Suspected Syndicate Operated
The Police said the wider network allegedly operated across several states, with members converging in Enugu to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.
CP Giwa said investigations had uncovered the alleged roles of some Enugu-based collaborators who provided logistical and intelligence support to the syndicate.
One suspect, according to the Commissioner, allegedly operated a tricycle and used it to transport gang members, firearms and other criminal implements to and from operational locations.
Another alleged accomplice reportedly supplied intelligence that helped the gang evade security surveillance while identifying potential targets and operational locations.
The suspects, the Police said, were arrested at different locations in Abuja, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba states between June and August 2026.
Suspects Linked to Series of Kidnappings
The Command said preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to a string of kidnapping operations across Enugu State.
The alleged criminal activities reportedly occurred along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis, and in several communities in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Among the cases under investigation are:
Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA — May 25, 2026:
A male victim was allegedly abducted, with the gang reportedly collecting ₦5.5 million as ransom.
Obioma, Udi LGA — May 9, 2026:
Two male victims were allegedly abducted while a female victim was shot and killed. The Police said the suspects allegedly obtained $28,700 in ransom.
Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA — April 10, 2026:
Two male victims were allegedly kidnapped, with the gang reportedly collecting $70,000 as ransom.
Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA — April 12, 2026:
Seven victims were allegedly abducted, with ₦25 million reportedly paid as ransom.
The Police stressed that the cases listed represent only some of the incidents currently under investigation, as the suspects have allegedly provided information on additional kidnapping operations and ransom payments.
Police Recover Five AK-47 Rifles
The security operations have also yielded significant weapons recoveries.
According to the Commissioner, operatives recovered:
- Five AK-47 rifles
- Two pump-action guns
- One locally fabricated firearm
- 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition
- Eight live cartridges
- Seven AK-47 magazines
The Police said investigations have also uncovered alleged attempts by members of the syndicate to conceal and invest proceeds from their criminal activities.
Such proceeds were allegedly channelled into livestock and property investments, lavish spending and other forms of conspicuous consumption, as well as overseas travel, including trips to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon.
Police Probe Wider Network
CP Giwa said the Command’s investigation is continuing, with operatives working to establish the suspects’ possible links to other kidnapping and violent-crime cases within and outside Enugu State.
The Police are also pursuing other suspected members of the network and working to recover additional firearms, ammunition and proceeds allegedly acquired through criminal activities.
The Commissioner assured that the suspects would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations in accordance with extant laws.
He described the arrests as a major product of intelligence-led policing, ICT-enabled investigations, inter-agency collaboration and interstate operational coordination.
CP Giwa: Enugu Will Remain Hostile to Criminal Networks
The Commissioner assured residents that the Command would sustain its offensive against kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism and other violent crimes.
He said the Police would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and operational capacity to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.
«“We will continue to make Enugu State increasingly unconducive to unrepentant local criminals, criminal elements seeking to infiltrate the State, and their activities,” CP Giwa said.»
The Commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, for his strategic leadership and operational support to the Enugu Command.
He equally acknowledged the support of the Enugu State Government under Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, particularly in strengthening security operations and creating a safer environment for residents, visitors and legitimate economic activities.
CP Giwa also praised other security agencies for their cooperation and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide the Police with credible information on suspicious persons, movements and activities.
He emphasised that sustained cooperation between security agencies and the public remains critical to dismantling criminal networks and maintaining peace and security across Enugu State.
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