Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested no fewer than 228 suspects for various crimes in Enugu State.
According to the police the offences ranged from kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, and vandalism from March 2025 till date.
In a press briefing on Thursday in Enugu, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, said that the arrests were part of the command’s efforts to combat crime and ensure the state remains safe for citizens, investors and visitors.
The commissioner disclosed that 33 kidnapped victims had been rescued, and 44 firearms, including ammunition, had been recovered; while 20 vehicles had been recovered from the suspects.
According to him, the breakdown of the arrests includes 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.
On cases of arrest, the Commisioner said, “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.
“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,” he said.
The police boss noted that acting on intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad rescued a 4-year-old girl child in Abia State on March 25, 2025.
“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.
The commissioner urged all citizens to be law-abiding and report any criminal activity to the security operatives; assuring that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of the state.
He said, “The arrests and recoveries are a testament to the command’s dedication to combating crime and maintaining peace in Enugu State.
He said 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.
