The Enugu State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 228 suspects involved in various criminal activities including kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, rape, cultism, and vandalism between March 2025 and the present.
Speaking during a press briefing held Thursday in Enugu, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Giwa, revealed that the series of arrests underscore the command’s continued resolve to fight crime and protect lives and property in the state.
According to the commissioner, operatives rescued 33 kidnapped victims and recovered 44 firearms along with several rounds of ammunition. Twenty stolen vehicles were also retrieved during various operations.
Providing further breakdown, Giwa said, “The arrests include 33 suspects linked to kidnapping; 12 to murder; six to firearms-related offenses; five to rape; 42 to armed robbery; 44 to cult-related activities and 149 to stealing and vandalism.”
He also cited a chilling case that occurred on April 2, 2025, involving one Oluchi Odoh, 26, who was arrested by officers attached to the Igbo-Eze North Division for the murder of her 23-year-old sister, Chinelo Odoh.
“On April 2, 2025, police operatives attached to Igbo-Eze North Division arrested one Oluchi Odoh, 26, for the murder of her younger sister, Chinelo Odoh, 23, while she was sleeping,” he said.
“At about 2:40 a.m., the suspect left her room and attacked her mother, her sister and the same sister’s 7-year-old son with an axe.
“They were rushed to the hospital, where Chinelo was confirmed dead, while the others are currently responding to treatment.
“The suspect confessed and, upon the conclusion of the investigation by the Homicide Section of the State CID, was charged to court and remanded in the Correctional Custodial Centre,” Giwa added.
In another operation, the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad successfully rescued a four-year-old girl in Abia State on March 25, 2025, following intelligence reports.
“She was stolen on March 15, 2025, by her family’s neighbour, Esther Adejo, 55, who was later arrested in Edo State on March 23, 2025. Her accomplice, Onyinye Benjamin, 62, was also arrested in Abia State.
“Esther Adejo had rented an apartment in the same compound as the victim’s parents in Ede-Oballa, Nsukka LGA, and kidnapped the child barely two weeks later.
“Both suspects confessed, and the case has been charged to court,“ he said.
Commissioner Giwa appealed to residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
“The arrests and recoveries are a testament to the command’s dedication to combating crime and maintaining peace in Enugu State.
He reiterated, “The State Police Command’s commitment to security is evident in its proactive approach to tackling crime, and its efforts are expected to continue yielding positive results.”
