The Enugu State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) has arrested 14 suspects involved in various kidnapping operations within and outside Enugu state between the months of June, July, and August 2026.
The suspects were arrested in 6 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja, as well as Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara, and Taraba States.
At a press briefing held at the Command’s headquarters on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, revealed that the suspects are members of an organized criminal network operating from different parts of the country. With the help of an Enugu-based member, they gather in Enugu to carry out their nefarious plans, then travel back to their respective locations.
CP Giwa also revealed that 2 of the 14 suspects were linked to the 2nd August kidnapping raid on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi LGA, Enugu state. However, they fled to Port Harcourt after their operation in the state.
“Further intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) led to the arrest of two additional male suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnapping.”
“Preliminary investigation reveals that, after fleeing Enugu, the suspects regrouped with their cohorts in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of ₦5m was paid,” he said.
“The suspects had also confessed to involvement in several recent and past kidnapping incidents along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road, Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road, Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis, and various locations in Ezeagu LGA.”
“Specifically, preliminary investigation has linked the suspects to the following armed kidnapping incidents: the abduction of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on 25th May, 2026, during which ₦5m was obtained as ransom; the abduction of two male victims and the shooting and murder of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on 9th May, 2026, during which the gang obtained $28,700 as ransom; the abduction of two male victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA, on 10th April, 2026, for which $70,000 was obtained as ransom; and the kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on 12th April, 2026, during which ₦25m was obtained as ransom.”
The CP further revealed, “The network is aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for the gang members, their firearms and other criminal implements to and from operational locations.”
“Another Enugu-based member provides intelligence that enables the gang to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and locations,” CP Giwa explains.
“The suspects laundered and concealed proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and different properties, and engaged in lavish spending as well as leisure and trips to foreign nations such as Cameroon.”
CP Giwa disclosed that the Command is resting her oars as further investigations are ongoing to establish the suspects’ involvement in other kidnapping and violent crime incidents within and outside Enugu State for identification and arrest of any other members of the syndicate.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged in court in accordance with extant laws,” he added.
The Police Command also displayed 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 recovered from the suspects.
CP Giwa further credited the Command’s operational success to the state-of-the-art security infrastructure put in place by the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah; the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, ICT-enabled investigation, inter-agency collaboration, inter-state cooperation, and coordinated operational policing adopted by the Command.
“I would also like to express my profound gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his forward-looking leadership and for making the state safe. I equally commend other security agencies for their collaborative support, while also thanking members of the public for their continued cooperation,” he concluded.
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