Police arrest 14 kidnap suspects in Enugu, seize weapons and ammunition

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 14 kidnap suspects. This happened after intelligence-led operations that took down major kidnap gangs in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Mr Mamman Giwa, shared this information during a press briefing in Enugu on Friday.

Giwa highlighted the recent victories the command has achieved against organized kidnap gangs. He mentioned that they recovered several weapons. These included five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally-made firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight live cartridges, and seven empty AK-47 magazines.

He explained that, in separate operations, security forces rescued kidnap victims from Ogbozara Community in Nsukka LGA and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State. They also recovered items like live ammunition during these rescues.

One of the victims, who was taken from a church in Inoyi, Affa Community in Udi LGA, was rescued on August 2. "A joint, intelligence-led operation led to the rescue of the other two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralization of one suspect, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, ammunition, and other incriminating items,” Giwa said.

He added that further operations by the command's Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit led to two more male suspects being arrested. These suspects were linked to the church kidnap at Affa. They had escaped to Port Harcourt but were tracked down and brought back to Enugu.

Giwa revealed that the investigation showed that after fleeing Enugu, the suspects met up with their gang in Port Harcourt. They soon abducted another victim, who was released after a ₦5 million ransom was paid.

The commissioner also mentioned that the police had arrested 12 other suspects in different parts of the country. These arrests were made between June, July, and August 2026. The suspects were caught in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara, and Taraba States.

Giwa explained that these suspects belong to a criminal network that operates from various locations. They usually gather in Enugu State to plan and carry out kidnap operations before returning to their own areas.

He pointed out that the network has support from an Enugu-based member who drives a tricycle. This person helps transport gang members, their weapons, and other criminal tools to and from crime scenes.

Another member from Enugu provides useful information that helps the gang avoid being caught by security and find suitable targets.

"During interrogation, the suspects admitted to being involved in several recent and past kidnap cases across Enugu State. This includes areas along Enugu, Ugwuogo, Opi, Nsukka Road, Obioma, 9th Mile, Umulumgbe, Okpatu Road, and the Ezeagu LGA,” Giwa said.

He further explained that investigations connected the suspects to many armed kidnaps. This includes the abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on May 25, where they collected ₦5.5 million as ransom.

Others include the kidnapping of two male victims and the shooting death of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on May 9. The gang received 28,000 US Dollars as ransom in that case.

There was also the kidnap of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on April 12, where ₦25 million was obtained as ransom. The suspects shared details of other kidnapping incidents and ransom payments during questioning, according to Giwa.

He said the suspects used their illegal earnings to buy livestock and properties, live lavishly, and go on trips abroad.

Giwa assured that investigations would uncover the suspects' involvement in other kidnaps and violent crimes. They will also identify and arrest more members of the gang and recover more weapons and ammunition.

“The command will also retrieve other criminal gains and, after thorough investigations, the suspects will be taken to court as required by law,” Giwa stated.