From Isaac Ojo
Anambra Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad(RRS)Awkuzu
during a coordinated operation arrested thirty eight year old Dauda Mohamed, a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in Kogi State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga (SP) revealed this in a press statement made available to journalists on August 1st
The suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Anambra State.
He was said to have identified fifty year old Umar Ali, who is also known as “Barjini,”, as the leader of the gang responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying operational weapons to the criminal network.
The nabbed susoect according to the PPRO also mentioned other members of the syndicate identified as Usman and Gongola, who are currently at large.
Ikenga pointed out that the investigation is directly linked to the kidnapping of a victim which occurred on 26th June 2026 at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, Dunukofia LGA.
“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 Thirty Million Naira. After negotiations, the sum of 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,” he said .
The PPRO assured Ndi Anambra and residents alike of that the Command remains resolute in denying criminals any safe haven within the State.
He said that the command will 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.” He concluded.
Pix: SP Tochukwu Ikenga
