By Michael Ovat
The Anambra State Police Command has praised itself for arresting two wanted kidnap suspects linked to multiple abduction cases in the state.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this during e press conference, held at the state headquarters in Amawbia -Awka on Saturday.
Ikenga said, the arrest is part of a significant operational breakthrough recorded by the Anambra State Police Command in its sustained offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
According to him, in the early hours of 27th July 2026, following credible intelligence and painstaking investigations, Anambra Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu
carried out a coordinated operation and arrested one Dauda Mohamed, aged 38, a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in Kogi State.
“During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Anambra State. He identified one Umar Ali, also known as “Barjini,” aged 50, as the leader of the gang responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying operational weapons to the criminal network. He also mentioned other members of the syndicate identified as Usman and Gongola, who are currently at large.
The investigation is directly linked to the kidnapping of a victim which occurred on 26th June 2026 at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area. In that incident, armed hoodlums emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, fired several gunshots, abducted the victim into a nearby bush, and later demanded a ransom of ₦30,000,000 (Thirty Million Naira). After negotiations, the sum of ₦15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) only was paid before the victim regained his freedom after spending four days in captivity.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the gang allegedly relocated from armed bandit enclaves in the North-West and established criminal operations within parts of the South-East. Investigations also indicate that the syndicate used an AK-47 rifle, allegedly supplied by the gang leader, to carry out kidnapping and armed robbery operations.
“Acting swiftly on information obtained during the interrogation, operatives extended the operation to Ugwuoba Gariki Enugu State, where they successfully arrested Umar Ali, also known as “Barjini,”.
“Let me assure Ndi Anambra and indeed all residents of Anambra that the Command remains resolute in denying criminals any safe haven within the State. We shall continue to sustain proactive operations, strengthen intelligence gathering, and work collaboratively with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks wherever they may be.
“We also wish to reiterate the importance of public support. Security is a shared responsibility, and we urge residents to continue providing timely, credible, and actionable information that will assist the Police in preventing crime and bringing offenders to justice.
As investigations continue, further updates will be communicated to the public in due course, Ikenga concluded.
