Anambra Police Smash Inter-State Syndicate, Arrest Two Notorious Kidnap Suspects

AWKA, NIGERIA – The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a notorious inter-state kidnapping syndicate linked to multiple high-profile abductions across the Southeast and North-west regions.

The suspects, identified as 38-year-old Dauda Mohammed and Umar Ali (popularly known as “Barjini”), were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation by security operatives.

The Ukwulu Lodge Kidnapping and N15m Ransom

According to a statement by the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Dauda Mohammed belongs to a dreaded criminal gang originally based in Kogi State.

Police investigations directly linked Mohammed to a recent abduction at the Divine Heritage Lodge in Ukwulu, located within the Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

During that operation, the gang held their victim captive for four days. The kidnappers initially demanded a N30 million ransom but later released the victim after receiving N15 million.

Cross-Regional Criminal Migration

Following credible intelligence and actionable leads, police detectives tracked down and arrested the second suspect, Umar Ali (“Barjini”), at Ugwuoba Gariki in Enugu State.

Superintendent Ikenga revealed a worrying trend of criminal migration, noting that the gang had relocated from armed bandit enclaves in the North-west region to establish new operational bases in the Southeast.

“Further investigation revealed that the syndicate used an AK-47 rifle supplied by their gang leader, Ali Umar, to execute their kidnapping and armed robbery operations,” Ikenga stated.

The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its commitment to flushing out criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend remaining members of the syndicate.