DETECTIVES have said there was "no prior intelligence" indicating that Kevin Lunney was to be attacked last month.
In one of the largest policing operations in recent years, two teams of detectives on both sides of the border are investigating the kidnap and torture of the Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director.
The 50-year-old was abducted near his Co Fermanagh home before being dumped over the border in Co Cavan.
Detective Superintendent Rowan Moore said police had no intelligence and "absolutely no indication whatsoever" that the kidnapping was going to take place.
"Intelligence is fed by community information, so we can only act on what we know and we need people to talk to us," Mr Moore said.
"We are keeping a number of lines of inquiry open, we're keeping a very open mind in relation to the people who are responsible for this. We are working very closely with the Garda in relation to progressing it and identifying those responsible.
"But it is clear from the way the attack happened that it was organised, there's no doubt about that.
"Organised criminals, any organised gang can deliver a crime of that nature, that would include terrorist organisations, so like I said we're keeping an open mind."
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It has been suggested that criminals from outside the area have been paid to carry out attacks on staff and property connected to Quinn Industrial Holdings.
Mr Moore said it was too early to say what the motive was.
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"I have no evidence to say that there was any financial kind of reward at this stage... You can tell from the level of organisation that took place that these were experienced criminals."
The investigation is unprecedented in scale and involves both the PSNI and An Garda Siochána.
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Mr Moore said there are "weekly meetings" between the two teams.
Last week gardaí investigating the abduction said they found a white van in Duleek, Co Meath, believed to be connected to the attack.
"When the levels of cooperation between services are as good as they are then it becomes easier and information sharing is key to that," Mr Moore said.
"Of course any sort of organised criminality is by its very nature harder to evidence."
There were up to 70 reported incidents of intimidation leading up to the kidnap - some low level, others more serious such as arson attacks on cars of QIH staff and their families.
In May of this year a letter threatening its directors was reported to police.
"As part of our investigation we are looking back at all linked incidents to try and identify any opportunity we can," said Mr Moore.
"This was a shocking attack on a hard-working man who was taken away from his family. What must have been going through his head at the time I can't even begin to understand.
"I think on a human level we all have to take a very strong line with it and say this is just not acceptable.
"We are in contact with him regularly. As you might imagine, he's recovering from his injuries but I would say the mental scars will take longer to heal than the physical ones."
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Superintendent Clive Beatty, district commander for the area, rejected allegations that the area appeared "lawless" with a lack of convictions in relation to the campaign of intimidation.
"I am very proud of the fact Fermanagh and Omagh is one of the safest places to live in Northern Ireland, it has the lowest crime rate of all of the 11 policing districts. Now that doesn't mean we become complacent but it illustrates the fact it is not a lawless society," he said.
"It's still very difficult for us to investigate... these things were done sometimes in the dead of the night in a location that for policing to be successful they need the full support and cooperation of the community.
"We need the evidence and we need the suspects.
"Though we may have our suspicions and the community may have their suspicions, suspicion is not enough to be able to secure a prosecution through the courts."
Mr Moore added: "My appeal as the officer overseeing this investigation is that the more evidence we can put to people suspected of this crime the better.
"I don't believe this to be a lawless society - there is no such thing in Northern Ireland. We enjoy support down there and I would expect to see that support continuing as we move on."
