The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected members of an interstate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate allegedly terrorising border communities between Enugu and Benue states.

The suspects, identified as Mohammed Hassan, 28, and Aminu Usman, 26, both natives of Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, were arrested by operatives attached to the Udenu Police Division in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended on May 14, 2026, at about 1:20 p.m. at Amutenyi, Obollo-Afor, in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The statement partly read, “The suspects, identified as Mohammed Hassan (male, 28) and Aminu Usman (male, 26), both of Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, were arrested on May 14, 2026, at about 1:20 p.m. at Amutenyi, Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA of Enugu State.

“Recovered from the suspects were one Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, three suspected stolen motorcycles, one mobile phone, suspected charms, one ATM card, a bunch of keys, and the sum of N4,700.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of an interstate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate allegedly involved in kidnapping and motorcycle-snatching operations along border communities between Enugu and Benue states.”

Ndukwe, however, noted that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate, adding that the suspects would be arraigned upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

“We won’t rest on our oars in ensuring that criminal elements are flushed out of Enugu State,” the CP stated.

Giwa commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for the successful operation and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies. (PUNCH)

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