In a major breakthrough against violent crime, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, have rescued 28 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 male suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other incriminating exhibits in multiple coordinated operations across the state.
In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working in synergy with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, rescued two male and two female victims on May 18, 2025, around 6:30 pm.
The victims had been kidnapped along the Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area and were rescued following a tactical bush-combing operation.
“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” Ndukwe stated.
On the same day, around 6:34 p.m., operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded swiftly to a distress call and rescued a male suspect from a violent mob.
According to the statement, the suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman who raised an alarm, causing the suspects to abandon her and flee.
The rearrested suspect, who sustained injuries from the mob beating, was taken to a hospital for treatment and is under investigation.
In a related development, operatives from the Okpuje Police Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, conducted a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
During the operation, two men were intercepted with ₦150,000.00 and ₦70,000.00 respectively, allegedly meant for ransom payments.
They were also found with loaves of bread and drinks, reportedly demanded by the kidnappers.
As the operation progressed, the team encountered armed resistance but overpowered the kidnappers with superior firepower.
The assailants fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning their captives, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.
The victims were rescued unhurt, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30 am, operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, working with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu, Kogi State.
The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, were abducted on May 10 along the Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.
Five suspects were arrested following credible intelligence, and three firearms were recovered.
A minibus and four motorcycles used by the victims were also recovered from the scene.
In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 pm, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The victim’s Toyota Camry was recovered, alongside a white Toyota Corolla (registration number ENU 703 LP) used by the suspects, and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu. Manhunt operations for the fleeing suspects are ongoing.
CP Giwa commended the police operatives, supporting security agencies, and law-abiding community members for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of these operations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to making Enugu State safer by rooting out violent criminals and their operations, urging residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of law enforcement agencies.
