Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command has killed one suspected kidnapper, arrested five others, and rescued a kidnapped victim in separate operations across the state.
Command spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, adding that the operatives also recovered an AK-47 rifle with two live rounds, a Toyota Corolla car, and ₦10 million cash paid as ransom.
Ndukwe said that on July 16, operatives attached to the Okpuje Police Division in Nsukka Local Government Area, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters, responded to a distress call about armed kidnappers sighted in Okpuje-Ani forest.
He said the suspects opened fire on arrival of the security team, but the operatives returned fire, neutralizing one of them while others fled.
In a separate operation the same day, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Aliyu Adamu, at Ugwu-Onyeama, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. During interrogation, Adamu reportedly confessed to being involved in several kidnappings and said he was invited from Awka, Anambra State, by an accomplice now at large.
“On July 15, at about 2:20 p.m., the Command’s Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested two sisters, Juliet Chukwu (39) and Nancy Chukwu (40), in an intelligence-led operation. The duo, who falsely claimed to be law enforcement agents, were caught sharing ₦10 million ransom obtained from their kinsman, whom they had conspired to kidnap after demanding ₦50 million. The victim was rescued unharmed, and the ransom money, along with a Toyota Corolla belonging to one of the suspects, was recovered.
“Earlier on July 5, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested two male suspects, Usman Musa (20) and Musa Zaria (24), both from Kogi State, during a tactical operation at Okemmou, 9th Mile Corner, in Udi LGA. The suspects were found with items belonging to two male victims kidnapped on July 4, who later identified both the suspects and the recovered belongings.”
SP Ndukwe said all arrested suspects would be arraigned upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others still at large.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their bravery and professionalism and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.
