Jelili Gbadamosi
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two wanted suspects over their alleged involvement in a string of kidnapping cases, uncovering what police described as an interstate criminal network operating between Anambra and Kogi states.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, carried out the operation following credible intelligence.
According to Ikenga, one of the suspects, Dauda Mohamed, allegedly confessed during interrogation to being a member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate based in Kogi State that carried out several abductions.
The police spokesperson said Mohamed identified Umar Ali as the alleged leader of the gang, accusing him of coordinating the syndicate’s operations and supplying weapons used in the kidnappings.
He also reportedly named two other suspected members of the gang, identified simply as Usman and Gongola, who remain at large. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Preliminary investigations further linked the suspects to the abduction of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the police, armed men emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, fired several gunshots to intimidate residents, abducted the victim into a nearby bush, and later demanded a ransom of ₦30 million.
The command said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the criminal network and bring all those connected with the alleged kidnappings to justice.
