The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 14 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to several abduction and violent-crime incidents in Enugu and other parts of the country.
The suspects were paraded at the Command’s headquarters in Enugu on Friday by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa.
According to Giwa, two of the suspects were allegedly involved in the August 2 kidnapping operation at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area.
He said the suspects fled to Port Harcourt after security operatives intensified operations in the area.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that the suspects later regrouped in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of N5 million was paid.
The 14 suspects were arrested at different times between June and August 2026 across Abuja, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.
The police said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to several kidnapping operations, including the abduction of victims along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road, Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis and other locations in Ezeagu and Udi LGAs.
Some of the cases allegedly involved ransom payments of N5 million, N25 million, $28,700 and $70,000.
The Commissioner said the suspects operated as an organised criminal network, with members based in different locations.
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According to him, some members provided transportation and intelligence support to help the gang identify targets and evade security surveillance.
Police also alleged that proceeds from the kidnappings were concealed through investments in livestock and properties.
Weapons recovered from the suspects include five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one locally fabricated firearm, 310 rounds of live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight cartridges and seven empty AK-47 magazines.
The Commissioner said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate and recover additional weapons and criminal proceeds.
He added that the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
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