The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers allegedly linked to several abduction cases across the state, including the kidnapping of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, where ₦15 million was paid as ransom.
The prime suspect was arrested on July 27 following credible intelligence and investigations by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Awka on Saturday.
Ikenga said the arrest of the second suspect followed information obtained from the first suspect, describing the development as a major breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes.
He said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, conducted a coordinated operation in the early hours of July 27, leading to the arrest of Dauda Mohamed, 38, who is suspected to be a member of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Kogi State and Anambra.
According to the police spokesperson, Mohamed allegedly confessed during interrogation to taking part in multiple kidnapping operations in Anambra State.
He said the suspect identified Umar Ali, popularly known as “Barjini”, 50, as the alleged leader of the gang responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying weapons to the criminal network.
Ikenga added that other alleged members of the syndicate, identified as Usman and Gongola, were still at large.
The police spokesperson said the investigation was linked to the June 26, 2026 kidnapping of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, where armed men allegedly emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, fired shots, and abducted the victim into a nearby bush.
He said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦30 million ransom but later settled for ₦15 million after negotiations, following which the victim was released after four days in captivity.
Ikenga said preliminary investigations showed that the gang allegedly moved from armed bandit enclaves in the North-West and established criminal operations in parts of the South-East.
He added that the syndicate allegedly used an AK-47 rifle supplied by its leader to carry out kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
“Acting swiftly on information obtained during interrogation, operatives extended the operation to Ugwuoba Gariki in Enugu State, where they successfully arrested Umar Ali, also known as ‘Barjini’,” he said.
Ikenga assured residents that the command remained committed to preventing criminals from establishing safe havens in Anambra State.
He said the police would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, conduct proactive operations, and collaborate with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks.
The command also urged residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent crimes and ensure the arrest of offenders.
The police said investigations into the activities of the syndicate were ongoing, with further updates to be provided as developments emerge.
