By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected members of an organised kidnapping network allegedly linked to several abduction cases involving the payment of millions of naira and dollars in ransom across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, GRA, Enugu, where he vowed to sustain the ongoing offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
According to the statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the arrests were achieved through sustained human and technical intelligence-led operations, including joint operations conducted across state boundaries.
The Command said its recent operations resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims in Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
It also recorded a breakthrough following the abduction of three persons at a church in Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi LGA, with one victim rescued on August 2. Subsequent operations led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, the arrest of three suspects, the neutralisation of another suspect and the recovery of ransom money, firearms and ammunition.
The Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) subsequently tracked two additional suspects linked to the Affa church kidnapping to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they were arrested.
The suspects had reportedly fled Enugu following operational pressure but were traced to Port Harcourt, where preliminary investigation indicated that they regrouped with other members of their gang and abducted another victim. The victim was later released after a ransom of ₦5 million was paid.
The Commissioner also disclosed that 12 other suspects had earlier been arrested between June and August 2026 in Abuja and Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Police, indicates that the suspects are members of an organised criminal network operating from different parts of the country, with members allegedly converging in Enugu to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.
The Command said an Enugu-based member of the network allegedly operates a tricycle which is used to transport gang members, firearms and other criminal implements. Another member is also alleged to provide intelligence to help the gang evade security surveillance and identify potential victims and locations for their operations.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in several kidnapping operations across Enugu State.
The cases under investigation include abductions along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis; as well as various locations in Ezeagu LGA.
The Police said the suspects have been linked to the May 25, 2026 abduction of a victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa in Ezeagu LGA, during which ₦5.5 million was allegedly collected as ransom.
They were also linked to the May 9 abduction of two victims at Obioma, Udi LGA, during which a female victim was allegedly shot and killed and $28,700 reportedly obtained as ransom.
Other cases include the April 10 abduction of two victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road in Udi LGA, for which $70,000 was allegedly obtained, and the April 12 kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, during which ₦25 million was reportedly paid as ransom.
The investigation further revealed that the suspects allegedly invested and concealed proceeds from their criminal activities in livestock and properties, while some of the proceeds were reportedly spent on lavish lifestyles and overseas trips, including travels to neighbouring Cameroon.
Among the exhibits recovered from the suspects are five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight live cartridges and seven empty AK-47 magazines.
The Command said investigations are ongoing to determine the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent-crime cases, apprehend additional members of the network and recover more firearms, ammunition and proceeds allegedly derived from the crimes.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon completion of investigations in accordance with the law.
CP Giwa attributed the breakthroughs to sustained intelligence gathering, ICT-enabled investigation, inter-agency collaboration, interstate cooperation and coordinated policing operations.
He appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his strategic leadership and operational support, as well as the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his continued support for security operations.
The Commissioner also commended other security agencies for their cooperation and members of the public for providing information that has assisted the Police in its operations.
CP Giwa urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities through established Police channels, stressing that timely and credible information remains critical to disrupting criminal networks and protecting lives and property in the state.
