Enugu police burst criminal syndicates, arrest 14 kidnap suspects
Enugu State Police Announce Arrests in Kidnapping Case
ENUGU, Nigeria — The Enugu State Police Command announced the arrest of 14 individuals suspected of engaging in various kidnapping operations both within and outside the state. The suspects were presented to the media at the Command’s headquarters on Friday.
Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa revealed that among those apprehended were two suspects linked to the August 2 kidnapping of parishioners at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Affa, Udi Local Government Area. These individuals had fled to Port Harcourt following intensified pressure from security operatives.
“Further intelligence-led operations by our Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit led to the arrest of two additional male suspects connected to the Affa Church abduction. Preliminary investigations indicate that after escaping Enugu, the suspects regrouped with others in Port Harcourt and subsequently abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of 5 million Naira was paid,” Giwa said.
Giwa further noted that the 14 suspects were arrested on various dates in June, July, and August 2026, in locations including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the states of Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara, and Taraba.
The suspects have allegedly confessed to participation in numerous kidnapping incidents along key roads in Enugu State, including the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road, Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road, and various sites in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
Details of some specific incidents include the May 25 kidnapping of a male victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu, which resulted in a ransom of 5 million Naira, and another incident involving two male victims and the murder of a female victim in Obioma, where the gang is said to have collected $28,700. Additional incidents on April 10 and April 12 involved various amounts of money obtained as ransom.
Giwa explained that the suspects are part of an organized criminal network that typically infiltrates the state to execute their plans before retreating to their home bases. He reported that they are assisted by an Enugu resident who provides transportation and logistical support for their operations.
Investigations have also revealed that the gang laundered and concealed the proceeds of their crimes through investments in livestock and properties, along with extravagant personal expenditures, including trips abroad.
The police continue to investigate to ascertain the suspects’ involvement in other criminal activities and to identify additional members of the network. Giwa confirmed that once investigations conclude, the suspects will face charges in accordance with extant laws.
During the presentation, police displayed a cache of firearms, including five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, a locally fabricated gun, and a significant amount of ammunition recovered from the suspects.
Giwa credited the Enugu Police Command’s successes to advanced security infrastructure and effective intelligence gathering, and he expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah and the Inspector General of Police for their support in maintaining order in the state.
In a statement, Giwa emphasized the police’s commitment to making Enugu State unwelcoming for criminals. One suspect admitted to the media that the gang had been operating along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, earning millions in ransom before their capture by security forces.
