The suspect was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee Enugu State, following investigations into the abduction of two people in Udi Local Government Area.

Troops of the 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 in Enugu State.

The operation also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition believed to belong to the suspected criminal network.

According to the Nigerian Army, the suspect was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu while allegedly attempting to leave the state.

The operation followed investigations into the August 2 abduction of two individuals in Udi Local Government Area.

The Army said security forces had earlier conducted an operation in connection with the kidnapping, during which one alleged member of the syndicate was neutralised and another arrested.

Information obtained during the interrogation of the arrested suspect reportedly provided investigators with a breakthrough, leading them to the suspected commander and the location of the group’s weapons cache.

Acting on the intelligence, troops conducted a search operation in the Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where they discovered the concealed weapons and ammunition.

The recovered items included four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The suspected commander was also found in possession of $1,000 and ₦785,900, alongside other items which the Army described as incriminating.

The military said preliminary investigations had linked the suspect to several kidnapping operations allegedly carried out across parts of the South-East and North-Central regions.

The suspect remains in military custody as investigations continue.

Security agencies are expected to use information obtained during the ongoing interrogation to track down other members of the syndicate, as well as individuals suspected of collaborating with the group.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, armed criminal groups and other security threats across the South-East.