The police in Enugu State have arrested two suspected members of an interstate kidnapping and armed robbery gang operating along border communities between Enugu and Benue states.

The suspects, identified as Mohammed Hassan, 28, and Aminu Usman, 26, are both from Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Council of Benue State.

They were arrested at Amutenyi, Obollo-Afor, in Udenu Local Council of Enugu State.

The command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said the arrest was carried out in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.

According to him, operatives recovered one Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition from the suspects.

Also recovered were three suspected snatched motorcycles, a mobile phone, suspected charms, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, a bunch of keys and N4,700 cash.

Ndukwe said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects belonged to “an interstate kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate allegedly involved in abductions and motorcycle snatching operations along border communities between Enugu and Benue states.”

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang, noting that the suspects would be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for the successful operation.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating violent crimes across the state and urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.

Ndukwe added that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements.