By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin and recovered four AK-47 rifles from a criminal syndicate’s hideout in Enugu.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja

The report said the operations also led to the recovery of seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from a forest in Udi Local Government Area.

It explained that the latest operations were part of efforts to dismantle a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating across Enugu, Abia, Anambra and adjoining states.

According to the report, troops of 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion, working with a Department of State Services tracking team, arrested one of the syndicate’s commanders, Babuga Abubakar Usman.

“Usman, a native of Kebbi State, was reportedly attempting to flee Enugu after escaping an earlier military ambush on members of the syndicate.

“The suspect was tracked to the Gariki General Area after intelligence indicated that he was attempting to leave the state.

“Following intensive trailing, troops apprehended him at about 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 10, the report said,” it said.

The report added that troops recovered 1,000 U.S. dollars and N785,900, alongside other sundry items, from the suspect.

It stated that Usman was a known kidnapper who had operated across the South-East and North-Central regions.

According to the army, the suspect is undergoing interrogation to obtain further information for follow-up operations against other members of the syndicate.

“In a related operation, troops exploited information obtained from two arrested kidnappers to locate an arms and ammunition hideout in Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, Udi.

“The troops conducted the operation between 10:10 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. on Aug. 10, leading to the recovery of the weapons and ammunition.

“The recovered items comprised four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” it said.

The report said the operation followed the successful rescue of two kidnapped victims and the arrest of a logistics supplier and two other suspected criminal kingpins.

According to the report, the latest operations represent a significant disruption of the syndicate’s operational capacity, particularly its ability to access firearms and ammunition for kidnapping activities.

“Troops are expected to sustain follow-up operations aimed at identifying and apprehending other members of the syndicate and dismantling its support network,” it said. (NAN)

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