The Anambra State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes, arresting two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to multiple abduction cases across the South-East.
The Command disclosed the development on Saturday, August 1, 2026, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations that also uncovered the activities of a criminal network believed to have relocated from bandit enclaves in the North-West to establish operations in the South-East.
Addressing journalists in Awka, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, arrested Dauda Mohamed, 38, in the early hours of July 27 after painstaking investigations and credible intelligence.
According to Ikenga, the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Anambra State during interrogation.
He said the suspect identified Umar Ali, popularly known as “Barjini,” as the leader of the syndicate responsible for coordinating logistics and supplying weapons used by the gang.
“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,” Ikenga said.
The police spokesman revealed that investigations linked the suspects to the abduction of a victim at Divine Heritage Lodge, Ukwulu, in Dunukofia Local Government Area on June 26, 2026.
According to him, armed men reportedly emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, opened fire, abducted the victim into a nearby bush and later demanded a ₦30 million ransom.
He said the victim eventually regained freedom after four days in captivity when ₦15 million was paid following negotiations.
Ikenga further disclosed that preliminary findings showed the syndicate had allegedly relocated from armed bandit strongholds in the North-West to establish criminal operations in parts of the South-East.
He added that the gang allegedly used an AK-47 rifle supplied by its leader to carry out kidnappings and armed robberies.
Acting on intelligence obtained during the interrogation of the first suspect, police operatives extended the operation to Ugwuoba Gariki in Enugu State, where they arrested the alleged gang leader, Umar Ali, also known as “Barjini.”
Reaffirming the Command’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements, Ikenga assured residents that the police would sustain intelligence-driven operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies.
“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,” he said.
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
“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 added.
