Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Bitrus Giwa, has disclosed that the state command arrested 5,895 suspects for various crimes and rescued 168 kidnapped victims between 2025 and 2026.
Giwa made the disclosure at a press briefing held at the State Police Command Headquarters in Enugu to mark his one-year anniversary in office as Commissioner of Police in the state.
The police chief, who assumed duty on March 11, 2025, said the command had focused on proactive and intelligence-driven policing to curb crime across the state.
According to him, the achievements were recorded through coordinated operations involving the police, military, forest guards, neighbourhood watch groups and local vigilantes.
“Within the past one year, our proactive crime-fighting approach has resulted in the arrest of 148 suspects for armed robbery; 129 suspects for kidnapping; 158 suspects for murder; 48 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition; 39 suspects for rape or defilement; and 210 suspects for cultism and illicit drug trafficking,” Giwa said.
The commissioner added that 5,163 other suspects were arrested for offences including stealing, vandalism, fraud, human trafficking and housebreaking.
He said the command also recorded major operational successes in kidnapping cases, including the rescue of 12 victims in Efeche Forest in Ette community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
According to him, the operation, carried out jointly with security partners, led to the arrest of three suspects identified by the victims as members of the kidnapping gang, while firearms and other exhibits were recovered.
“In another operation, police operatives arrested five suspected kidnappers along the Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road in Enugu East Local Government Area.
“The suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents,” he said.
The commissioner also disclosed that security operatives rescued a kidnapped clergyman during a gun battle with suspects in forests bordering Benue State on January 29, 2026.
“One suspect was neutralised and an AK-47 rifle with ammunition recovered.
“Similarly, police foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Adani–Nsukka Road on January 18, 2026, after a gun duel with criminals, leading to the neutralisation of one suspect,” he said.
Giwa added that beyond kidnapping cases, the command arrested 39 suspects for rape and defilement, citing cases involving sexual assault, defilement of minors and incest currently under investigation.
“The command also intensified its crackdown on cultism and illicit drugs, arresting 210 suspects linked to cult-related crimes and drug trafficking,” he said.
He said a major breakthrough was recorded on March 8, 2026, when police disrupted an initiation ceremony of the Black Axe Confraternity in a forest near Nsukka.
“Thirteen suspects were arrested and several weapons, vehicles, motorcycles, phones and other items were recovered,” the CP said.
According to Giwa, police recovered 105 firearms, including 22 AK-47 rifles and a G-3 automatic rifle, as well as 665 rounds of live ammunition within the period.
“A total of 118 stolen or abandoned vehicles were also recovered,” he added.
On prosecution, the commissioner said 1,248 criminal cases had been charged to court, resulting in 237 convictions, while 368 cases were still under investigation.
Giwa attributed the successes to the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as well as the cooperation of the Enugu State government, other security agencies and residents who provided intelligence.
He assured residents that the command would sustain its efforts to ensure security across the state.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to maintain peace and safety in Enugu State,” he said.
