Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested two suspected members of an interstate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate allegedly terrorising communities along the Enugu-Benue border.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Hassan, 28, and Aminu Usman, 26, both natives of Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, were apprehended during a joint operation by officers of the Udenu Police Division and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the suspects were arrested on May 14, 2026, around 1:20pm at Amutenyi in Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Items recovered from the suspects included a Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, three motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, a mobile phone, charms, an ATM card, a bunch of keys, and N4,700 cash.
Ndukwe stated that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to an interstate gang allegedly involved in kidnapping and motorcycle-snatching operations in communities bordering Enugu and Benue states.
“The suspects, identified as Mohammed Hassan and Aminu Usman, were arrested during a coordinated operation by police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.
“Recovered from them were one Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, three suspected snatched motorcycles, one mobile phone, suspected charms, one ATM card, a bunch of keys, and the sum of N4,700,” the statement partly read.
The police spokesperson added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, noting that the suspects would be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s determination to rid Enugu of criminal activities.
“We will not relent in ensuring that criminal elements are flushed out of Enugu State,” Giwa stated.
He also commended the police operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for the successful operation and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information.