By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Police Command in Enugu state has rescued 21 kidnap victims, neutralised one suspect, and arrested another in multiple coordinated operations across the state between May 20 and May 23 under review.
A firearm, vehicle, and other key exhibits were also recovered during the period.
Public Relations Officer of the command SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement that the rescue efforts were a result of intelligence-led raids and community collaboration, executed on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa.
“Our officers are under clear instruction to take the fight directly to criminal elements.
“We are not only reacting to crimes—we are staying ahead of them through actionable intelligence, community support, and operational synergy with local security partners”, CP Giwa was quoted as saying in the statement.
On May 23, a joint team of officers from Okpuje Division, Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters stormed a forest bordering Enugu and Kogi States, where eight kidnapped persons were being held.
One suspect was neutralised in a gun duel while others fled with bullet wounds. All eight victims were rescued unharmed.
Ndukwe said a day earlier, on May 22, the Oji-River Area Commander led a joint force to Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area and rescued nine kidnap victims who had been abducted along Olo-Umulokpa Road.
The assailants, confronted by the advancing team, abandoned their captives and fled. All victims have since been reunited with their families.
Also on the same day, in Ekochin Layout, Udi LGA, 9th Mile, Police operatives swiftly responded to a distress call and foiled an armed robbery attempt. Though the suspects escaped, a cut-to-size single-barrel gun and an expended cartridge were recovered from the scene.
On May 21, two male victims who had been abducted in Ezimo, Udenu LGA on May 16 were rescued from a forest in Amalla-Egazi by operatives of Udenu Division working alongside Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members.
That same day, officers from Uwani Division recovered a female victim and her Toyota Sienna vehicle at Gariki, Awkunanaw, Enugu.
The police said officers from Awkunanaw Division on May 20, rescued a man who had been kidnapped and held in an uncompleted building in Akwuke-Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA .
His abductors had already extorted ₦30,000 from his relatives before the police swooped in on them. One suspect was arrested on the spot, and efforts to capture the rest of the gang are underway.
Commending the bravery and professionalism of the operatives, CP Giwa praised the synergy between law enforcement and local security groups.
“These successful outcomes are the result of strong community engagement, timely intelligence, and relentless policing,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible information with security agencies.
“We must not relent. Public support remains our strongest asset in this fight against crime,” he added.
