Anambra Police Arrest Two Wanted K!dnap Suspects Linked To Multiple ∆bductions, Trace Gang To North-West
Anambra Police Arrest Two Wanted Kidnap Suspects Linked To Multiple Abductions, Trace Gang To North-West
The police spokesperson said the suspect confessed during interrogation to participating in several kidnapping operations across Anambra State.
The Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for multiple abductions in the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who made this known during a press briefing on Saturday in Awka, said preliminary investigations indicate that the gang relocated from armed bandit enclaves in Nigeria’s North-West to establish criminal operations in parts of the South-East.
Ikenga said operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, arrested one 38-year-old Dauda Mohamed in the early hours of July 27, 2026, following credible intelligence and painstaking investigations.
The police spokesperson said the suspect confessed during interrogation to participating in several kidnapping operations across Anambra State.
He said Mohamed identified one 50-year-old Umar Ali, popularly known as “Barjini,” as the alleged leader of the syndicate responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying weapons used by the gang.
According to Ikenga, the suspect also identified two other alleged members of the criminal network, Usman and Gongola, who remain at large.
“The investigation is directly linked to the kidnapping of a victim which occurred on 26th June 2026 at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area,” Ikenga said.
“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 ₦30,000,000.
“After negotiations, the sum of ₦15,000,000 was paid before the victim regained his freedom after spending four days in captivity.”
Ikenga added, “Preliminary investigations reveal that the gang allegedly relocated from armed bandit enclaves in the North-West and established criminal operations within parts of the South-East.”
He said that investigations further showed the syndicate allegedly used an AK-47 rifle supplied by the gang leader to carry out kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
Acting on information obtained from Mohamed during interrogation, Ikenga said police operatives extended the operation to Ugwuoba Gariki in Enugu State, where they arrested Ali.
The police said investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate and dismantle the criminal network.
Assuring residents of the command’s commitment to tackling violent crime, Ikenga said, “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.”
He also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
“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,” he said.
The command said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.
