Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDO KA, have dismantled a kidnapping syndicate in Imo State in a joint operation with other security agencies, recovering ransom proceeds and a vehicle allegedly used in an abduction.
The operation was carried out on July 17, 2026, and led to the arrest of one suspect.
Acting on intelligence, troops launched a cordon-and-search operation in Obinwanne Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area. During the raid, security forces recovered a bag used to transport ransom payments, which had been abandoned in a nearby bush — an indication that the proceeds had already been shared among gang members.
Further intelligence work led troops to a residential building, where a suspect was arrested. A search of the property turned up a black Lexus saloon car believed to have been used in the kidnapping, along with mobile phones, identity documents, and ₦298,200 in cash suspected to be part of the ransom money.
The rescued kidnap victim later identified the arrested man as one of those involved in the abduction. Preliminary investigations also found that the suspect had supplied his vehicle to the syndicate’s ringleader and had received a share of the ransom in return.
All recovered items and the suspect have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation, as authorities continue their pursuit of other syndicate members, including the alleged kingpin, who remains at large.
Military authorities say the operation reflects the effectiveness of intelligence-driven missions and the continued cooperation among security agencies working to curb kidnapping and violent crime across the South-East.
