Troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, operating under Operation UDO KA, alongside operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected commander of a kidnapping syndicate in Enugu State. The operation, which was intelligence-driven, also led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons from a forest hideout.
Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday, August 10, 2026. He stated that the operation focused on the Gariki General Area of Enugu State, following the abduction of two people in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, 2026.
Operation UDO KA: How the Commander Was Tracked
The arrest came after a prior operation in which troops killed one member of the syndicate and detained another. Intelligence obtained from the detained suspect led troops to the fleeing commander, who was intercepted and arrested as he attempted to escape from Enugu State.
According to Lt. Col. Ayeni, "Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt, leading to the tracking, interception and arrest of the fleeing syndicate commander as he attempted to escape from Enugu State."
Weapons Cache Found in Umuchingu Ujenike Forest
Following information from the suspects, troops traced the syndicate's hidden weapons cache in Umuchingu Ujenike Forest. There, they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines, and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the arrested commander was linked to kidnapping activities across both the South-East and North-Central regions of Nigeria. The Army said the suspect was being interrogated to support ongoing efforts to capture remaining members of the network and those who aided them.
Impact: Disrupting Criminal Networks
Authorities described the outcome as proof that coordinated, intelligence-driven operations can effectively break up organised criminal groups and cut off their access to weapons and safe locations. The Joint Task Force said it would continue to work with other security agencies across the South-East.
"Troops will continue to pursue all those who threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens while ensuring a safe and secure environment for socio-economic activities to flourish throughout the region," the Army statement added.
Related Security Operations in Nigeria
In a separate incident, the Bauchi State Police Command arrested two suspects allegedly linked to a kidnapping attack in Alkaleri LGA on July 31, 2026. Armed men stormed a man's home in Gwanar Dutse Village at 5 a.m., shooting him in the right thigh as he tried to flee. The two suspects, aged 18 and 22, allegedly confessed to acting as informants for the attackers during preliminary investigations.
Additionally, a suspected kidnapper was arrested in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta. The suspect was arrested while negotiating a N20 million ransom, according to Army spokesperson Lieutenant Umar Mohammed.
