ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Troops of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, under Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State.
The operation also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from a forest hideout.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Ayeni said the suspect was arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State.
He said the operation followed efforts by security agencies to dismantle a criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2.
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According to the Army spokesman, troops had earlier neutralised one member of the syndicate and arrested another during a separate operation.
Information obtained from the arrested suspect subsequently helped security operatives identify the fleeing commander and locate the group’s concealed weapons.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt, leading to the tracking, interception and arrest of the fleeing syndicate commander as he attempted to escape from Enugu State,” Ayeni said.
The Army said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was allegedly involved in several kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.
Further intelligence obtained during the investigation reportedly led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the syndicate was said to have concealed its weapons.
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The Army said troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.
Ayeni said the suspect remained in custody for further interrogation, which would assist ongoing efforts to identify and arrest other members of the criminal network and their alleged collaborators.
The Army described the operation as another outcome of intelligence-led joint operations aimed at disrupting organised criminal networks and denying them access to weapons and hideouts.
It said troops of Operation UDO KA would continue to collaborate with other security agencies in operations against criminal elements across the South-East.
“Troops will continue to pursue all those who threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens while ensuring a safe and secure environment for socio-economic activities to flourish throughout the region,” the statement added.