The Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, has announced the successful rescue of 28 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 10 suspects through multiple coordinated operations. The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, conveyed this information through a statement delivered by the command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe. These operations are part of the ongoing efforts to eliminate violent criminal activities in Enugu State.
CP Giwa emphasized the command’s dedication to enhancing the security and safety of Enugu State by eradicating violent criminals and their activities.
The statement detailed: “As part of sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals, operatives of the State Police Command have successfully rescued twenty-eight kidnapped victims, arrested ten male suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles, and other exhibits in multiple coordinated operations.”
On May 18, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers from the Umumba Police Division, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and community members, conducted a tactical bush-combing operation along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area. This operation resulted in the rescue of two male and two female victims and the arrest of four male suspects, who are currently aiding ongoing investigations.
Additionally, on the same day at around 6:34 p.m., operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded promptly to a distress call, rescuing and rearresting an unidentified male suspect from a violent mob. The suspect, along with three others, had attempted to kidnap a woman who raised an alarm, leading to their abandonment. The rearrested suspect, having sustained injuries from the mob, was taken to the hospital for treatment and is under further investigation.
Moreover, on May 17, 2025, operatives from the Okpuje Police Division, in conjunction with the Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, executed a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest area bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.
These concerted efforts exemplify the commitment of the Enugu State Police Command to maintaining order and security in the region.
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.
“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.
“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 a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.
Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” CP Giwa said.
During the operation, authorities intercepted two individuals who were found with ₦150,000.00 and ₦70,000.00 respectively, intended for ransom payments. They also seized loaves of bread and drinks that had been demanded by the kidnappers. As the team advanced, they encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, causing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges. The victims were rescued unharmed, and the exhibits were recovered. Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are continuing.
Earlier, on May 14, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., operatives from the Igbo-Eze North Division, in collaboration with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims in the Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State. The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, were allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men. Following credible intelligence, five male suspects were arrested and three firearms were recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the victims were earlier recovered from the crime scene.
In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at approximately 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 a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered. Operations to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing, according to CP Giwa.
