By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes, following the arrest of two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate allegedly linked to multiple abduction cases within and outside the state.
The development was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, during a press briefing held on Saturday in Awka.
According to him, the arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation carried out by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in the early hours of July 27, 2026.
He explained that the operation led to the arrest of one Dauda Mohamed, aged 38, who is believed to be a member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate with roots in Kogi State.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to having participated in a number of kidnapping operations across Anambra State.
He said the suspect identified one Umar Ali, popularly known as “Barjini”, aged 50, as the leader of the criminal gang and accused him of coordinating the group’s activities and supplying operational weapons used in carrying out various crimes.
The police further revealed that two other members of the gang, identified simply as Usman and Gongola, are currently on the run, while efforts are already underway to apprehend them.
SP Ikenga explained that the investigation was linked to the abduction of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, on June 26, 2026.
According to him, on that fateful day, the hoodlums reportedly emerged from an uncompleted building located behind the facility, opened fire and whisked the victim into a nearby forest.
He added that the abductors subsequently demanded a ransom of ₦30 million from the victim’s family before eventually accepting ₦15 million after negotiations. The victim was said to have regained freedom after spending four days in captivity.
The police spokesman also disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that members of the syndicate relocated from bandit enclaves in the North-West and established operational bases in parts of the South-East, from where they coordinated their criminal activities.
He further explained that the gang allegedly used AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons supplied by its leader to execute kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
Acting on information obtained from the first suspect, the operatives extended their investigation beyond Anambra State and eventually tracked down and arrested the alleged gang leader, Umar Ali, at Ugwuoba Gariki in neighbouring Enugu State.
While reaffirming the commitment of the command to sustaining the ongoing crackdown on violent crimes, SP Ikenga assured residents that the police would continue to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and deny criminal elements any safe haven in the state.
He also reiterated the need for greater cooperation between residents and security agencies, emphasising that effective policing requires the active support of members of the public.
The police spokesman urged citizens to continue providing timely, credible and actionable information capable of assisting security operatives in preventing crimes and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
He added that investigations into the activities of the syndicate were still ongoing and assured that further developments would be made public as events unfold.
