The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping with the arrest of two suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for a series of abductions across the state, including the kidnapping of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, where a ₦15 million ransom was eventually paid.
The suspects were apprehended during separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, following weeks of surveillance and investigations.
The development was disclosed on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, while briefing journalists at the state police headquarters in Awka.
According to Ikenga, the first suspect was arrested on July 27 after investigators acted on credible intelligence, while the second suspect was tracked down and apprehended through information obtained during the interrogation of the first suspect.
Describing the arrests as a significant milestone in the command’s ongoing offensive against violent crimes, Ikenga said the operation had exposed the activities of a kidnapping syndicate with links beyond Anambra State.
He said: “In the early hours of July 27, following credible intelligence and painstaking investigations, Anambra police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out a coordinated operation and arrested one Dauda Mohamed, aged 38, a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in Kogi State.
“During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Anambra State.
“The suspect identified one Umar Ali, also known as ‘Barjini’, aged 50, as the leader of the gang responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying operational weapons to the criminal network.
“He also mentioned other members of the syndicate identified as Usman and Gongola, who are currently at large.
“The investigation is directly linked to the kidnapping of a victim which occurred on June 26, 2026, at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area.
“In that incident, armed hoodlums emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, fired several gunshots, abducted the victim into a nearby bush, and later demanded a ransom of ₦30m.
“After negotiations, the sum of ₦15m was paid before the victim regained freedom after spending four days in captivity.”
The police spokesman disclosed that preliminary findings suggested the gang had relocated from armed bandit strongholds in Nigeria’s North-West region to establish criminal operations in parts of the South-East.
Investigators also alleged that the syndicate relied on an AK-47 rifle, reportedly supplied by its leader, to execute kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
Acting on intelligence provided by the first suspect, police operatives extended the operation beyond Anambra State to apprehend the alleged leader of the gang.
Ikenga said: “Acting swiftly on information obtained during the interrogation, operatives extended the operation to Ugwuoba Gariki, Enugu State, where they successfully arrested Umar Ali, also known as ‘Barjini’.
“Let me assure Ndi Anambra and indeed all residents of Anambra that the command remains resolute in denying criminals any safe haven within the state.
“We shall continue to sustain proactive operations, strengthen intelligence gathering, and work collaboratively with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks wherever they may be.
“We also wish to reiterate the importance of public support. Security is a shared responsibility, and we urge residents to continue providing timely, credible, and actionable information that will assist the police in preventing crime and bringing offenders to justice.
“As investigations continue, further updates will be communicated to the public in due course,” he added.
The police said investigations are continuing with a view to apprehending other members of the syndicate who remain at large and recovering additional weapons and exhibits linked to the group’s alleged criminal activities.
(Ripples)