Troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered four AK-47 rifles and ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State.
The operation, described by the military as a major breakthrough, was conducted in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State following sustained efforts to dismantle a criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Monday night by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lt. Alabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the arrest followed an earlier operation in which troops neutralised one suspected member of the syndicate and arrested another.
The army noted that during exploitation operatives identify the fleeing syndicate commander and locate the group’s concealed weapons.
Acting on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt and eventually tracked and arrested the suspected commander as he allegedly attempted to flee Enugu State.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect may be linked to several kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.
Items recovered from the suspect included US$1,000, ₦785,900 in cash and other materials believed to be relevant to the ongoing investigation.
Further intelligence obtained from the arrested suspects subsequently led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the syndicate allegedly concealed its weapons.
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During the operation, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.
The Army said the latest operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led collaboration between the military and other security agencies in dismantling organised criminal networks, recovering illicit weapons and denying criminals safe havens.
The arrested suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation as security agencies work to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate and their collaborators.
Operation UDO KA reaffirmed its determination to sustain aggressive and intelligence-driven operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities across the South-East.
The Joint Task Force also urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to disrupting criminal networks and creating a safer environment for residents and legitimate economic activities.
