Governor Peter Mbah’s administration in Enugu State is intensifying its campaign against kidnapping and other violent crimes through increased investment in intelligence, technology and collaboration among security agencies.
The approach appears to be yielding results, with the recent arrest of 14 suspected kidnappers providing fresh evidence of efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks operating within and beyond the state.
The suspects, according to the Enugu State Police Command, were allegedly connected to kidnapping operations across several states, including Enugu, Rivers, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory.
While parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said security operatives recovered five AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one locally manufactured firearm, 310 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, eight cartridges and seven empty AK-47 magazines.
The arrests followed intensified investigations into a kidnapping incident at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area, on August 2.
According to the police, two of the suspects were allegedly linked to the church attack. Investigators said some members of the group fled Enugu after the incident and regrouped in Port Harcourt before they were eventually tracked down.
The development highlights the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation between security agencies, particularly as criminal groups frequently exploit state boundaries to evade arrest.
Security beyond routine policing
For the Mbah administration, tackling insecurity is closely tied to its wider economic development programme.
The governor has argued that attracting businesses, creating employment and encouraging investment would be difficult if residents and investors remained concerned about their safety.
His administration has therefore placed significant emphasis on intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and cooperation between security agencies.
Among the key components of this strategy is the Enugu State Command and Control Centre, which is supported by artificial intelligence-enabled cameras deployed in different parts of the state.
Security professionals have also taken note of the infrastructure. During a recent study tour by participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19 of the National Institute for Security Studies, Dr Olusola Opa-Ola commended the state’s command-and-control system.
He said the technology had helped strengthen the state’s ability to identify security threats, respond to criminal activity and improve coordination.
Police uncover alleged kidnapping network
The investigation into the arrested suspects has also provided information about alleged kidnapping operations in several parts of Enugu.
Police investigators reportedly linked the group to incidents along the Enugu-Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka Road, the Obioma-9th Mile-Umulumgbe-Okpatu axis and the Eke-Affa-Egede-Ezinze corridor, among other locations.
The suspects were also allegedly connected to the abduction of a man at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa in Ezeagu, where investigators said N5 million was collected as ransom.
Another case involved the alleged kidnapping of two men at Obioma, Udi, on May 9. Police said a female victim was killed during the incident and that the gang reportedly collected $28,700.
Investigators further linked the group to an April 10 kidnapping along Eke-Ezinze Road, where a reported $70,000 ransom was paid, as well as the alleged abduction of seven people at Obinaofia, Ezeagu, on April 12, for which N25 million was reportedly demanded or paid.
The cases suggest, according to investigators, that the suspects were part of an organised network rather than independent criminals operating without coordination.
Local support under investigation
Another aspect of the investigation is the alleged involvement of people who provided logistical and intelligence support to the kidnappers.
Police reportedly identified an Enugu-based suspect who allegedly used a tricycle to transport members of the gang, weapons and other materials.
Another suspect was accused of supplying information that helped the group identify potential targets and avoid security operations.
The investigation reinforces the argument that defeating kidnapping requires more than arresting armed criminals. Authorities must also identify and disrupt the local networks that provide information, transportation, accommodation and other forms of assistance.
The state government has consequently warned individuals who knowingly support criminal groups that they could face investigation and prosecution.
Security and economic development
The administration's security strategy is also closely connected to its economic ambitions.
Mbah has set a target of expanding Enugu’s economy substantially, but the government recognises that investment and economic activity depend heavily on a stable security environment.
A safer environment can encourage businesses to expand, attract new investors and allow residents to operate without constant fear of attacks.
The government’s strategy therefore combines conventional policing with surveillance, intelligence gathering, inter-agency operations and community cooperation.
The August 2 attack at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church demonstrated the importance of that approach. Following the incident, personnel from the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other agencies reportedly launched a joint operation against the suspected kidnappers.
Three suspects were arrested, while another reportedly died during the confrontation. Two of the abducted victims, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, were later freed and allegedly identified some of those arrested as their abductors.
Following the money
Authorities are also examining the financial activities of the suspected kidnappers.
According to information from the investigation, members of the group allegedly invested proceeds from ransom payments in livestock and property, while some funds were reportedly used to finance expensive lifestyles and trips outside Nigeria, including visits to Cameroon.
Security experts say tracking such financial activities could be important in dismantling organised kidnapping because arrests alone may not prevent criminal networks from rebuilding.
Following the money, identifying assets allegedly acquired through ransom payments and uncovering financial links could help investigators attack the economic foundation of the criminal enterprise.
The police investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to establish the suspects’ involvement in other crimes and identify additional members of the alleged network.
For Enugu, the objective is increasingly clear: sustain pressure on criminal groups, improve intelligence capabilities and make it significantly harder for kidnappers to operate within the state.
If the current approach continues to produce arrests, weapons recoveries and successful rescue operations, the administration will have stronger grounds for its claim that security investment is becoming an important part of Enugu’s wider transformation agenda.