Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu State says its operatives have successfully rescued 28 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 male suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other exhibits in multiple coordinated operations.
A statement by SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Spokesperson for the command, said that on May 18, 2025, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, promptly rescued two males and two females, who were kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.
According to him, the arrest followed a tactical bush-combing operation, four suspects (males) linked to the crime were immediately arrested and are currently assisting the command with investigations.
“On the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division swiftly responded to a distress call and rescued and rearrested a yet-to-be identified male suspect from a violent mob.
“The suspect and three others had attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm and was abandoned by the suspects.
“The rearrested suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further,” Ndukwe said.
He added that operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
He said: “During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000.00 and ₦70,000.00 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks menacingly requested by the kidnappers.
“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.
“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered; efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.”
The Police spokesperson further said that: “Earlier on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.
“The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.
“Five male suspects were subsequently arrested following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered.
“Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.”
Ndukwe added that in another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry; a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and also a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu.
He said that operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects were ongoing.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Bitrus Giwa has commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.
“He reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to making Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities, urging residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities.”
