By
Gloria Josiah
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two alleged members of a notorious kidnapping gang during an operation carried out in Kogi State.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the arrests were made in the early hours of July 27, 2026, by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, following credible intelligence and weeks of investigation.
The first suspect, 38-year-old Dauda Mohamed, was picked up in Kogi. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to taking part in several kidnappings in Anambra. He also named the gang’s leader as 50-year-old Umar Ali, popularly known as “Barjini,” accusing him of coordinating logistics and supplying weapons to the group. Mohamed further mentioned two other fleeing members identified as Usman and Gongola.
Ikenga disclosed that the case is connected to the abduction that occurred on June 26, 2026, at Divine Heritage Lodge in Ukwulu, Dunukofia LGA. According to police, gunmen emerged from an uncompleted building behind the lodge, opened fire, and dragged the victim into a nearby bush. The kidnappers later demanded ₦30 million ransom. After negotiations, ₦15 million was paid and the victim was released four days later.
Preliminary findings show the gang allegedly moved down from bandit camps in the North-West and set up operations in parts of the South-East. Police said they used an AK-47 rifle, believed to have been provided by the gang leader, for kidnapping and armed robbery.
Following information from Mohamed, operatives extended the raid to Ugwuoba Gariki in Enugu State, where Umar Ali alias “Barjini” was also arrested.
“The Command will not give criminals any space to operate in Anambra. We will sustain proactive operations, improve intelligence gathering, and work with other security agencies to break up criminal networks,” Ikenga said.
He also called on residents to support the police with timely and credible information, noting that security is a collective responsibility.
The Command added that investigations are ongoing and more updates will be released in due course
