The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to multiple abductions across the state, including the kidnapping of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, where ₦15m was paid as ransom.

The prime suspect was arrested on July 27 following credible intelligence and investigations by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.

The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Saturday.

Ikenga said the second suspect was arrested at the gang’s base following information obtained from the first suspect.

He described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in the command’s sustained operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

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.”

According to Ikenga, preliminary investigations revealed that the gang allegedly relocated from armed bandit enclaves in the North-West and established criminal operations in parts of the South-East.

He added that investigations indicated that the syndicate used an AK-47 rifle, allegedly supplied by the gang leader, to carry out kidnapping and armed robbery operations.

“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 PUNCH)

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