According to the statement, the suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation carried out by troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The operation followed efforts to dismantle a criminal network allegedly responsible for the abduction of two people in Udi Local Government Area on 2 August.
The Army said the latest arrest came after an earlier operation in which troops killed one alleged member of the syndicate and arrested another.
Information obtained from the arrested suspect reportedly helped security operatives identify the fleeing commander and locate the group’s weapons cache.
The Army said troops subsequently tracked and intercepted the suspect as he attempted to flee Enugu State.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is linked to several kidnapping activities across the South-East and North-Central regions,” the statement said.
Items reportedly recovered from the suspect included US$1,000, N785,900 in cash and other items described by the Army as incriminating.
Further intelligence gathered during the investigation led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where the syndicate was allegedly keeping its weapons.
The Army said troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.
It described the operation as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks and deny them access to weapons and hideouts.
The arrested suspect is undergoing further interrogation, according to the statement, with the information expected to support efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate and their alleged collaborators.
The Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA, said it would continue intelligence-led operations against criminal groups across the South-East in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing individuals who threaten the safety of residents and maintaining an environment conducive to socio-economic activities in the region.
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