Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation ‘UDO KA’, working alongside other security agencies, have dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Imo State, recovering part of a ransom payment and a vehicle allegedly used for the crime.
The operation, carried out on July 17, 2026, followed credible intelligence and led troops to Obinwanne Umuaka in Njaba Local Government Area, where they conducted a cordon-and-search mission.
During the operation, security operatives recovered a bag allegedly used to transport ransom payments.
The bag was found abandoned in a nearby bush, suggesting that members of the gang had already shared the proceeds.
Further intelligence-led investigations led to the arrest of a suspect at a residential building.
A search of the premises uncovered a black Lexus saloon car believed to have been used in the kidnapping, several mobile phones, identity documents, and ₦298,200 suspected to be part of the ransom collected from the victim.
According to the military, the rescued victim identified the arrested suspect as one of those involved in the abduction.
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Preliminary investigations also revealed that the suspect allegedly provided his vehicle to the gang’s principal actor and received a share of the ransom.
The suspect and all recovered items have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation and efforts to apprehend other members of the syndicate, including the alleged kingpin who remains at large.
The army said the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the continued collaboration among security agencies in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the South-East.
