Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Three people abducted during an alleged carjacking in Enugu have been rescued by operatives of the state Police Command, while a Lexus RX350 and several firearms were recovered from fleeing suspects.
The rescue followed an intelligence report received around 1:30 a.m. on August 18 concerning the abduction of occupants of the vehicle by armed hoodlums in Independence Layout, Enugu.
Police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit immediately launched a pursuit while on crime-prevention patrol along the Port Harcourt Expressway.
The pursuit led officers to Hillview Road in Independence Layout, where the suspects abandoned the Lexus and firearms before escaping.
The three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed with assistance from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other residents.
Ndukwe said the recovered exhibits included the victims’ Lexus RX350, a locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size firearm and one live cartridge.
Police also recovered a pair of hand gloves, a ski mask and a mobile phone allegedly abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The command has launched a manhunt for the suspects and intensified investigations to identify those involved, recover additional exhibits and establish their connection to the reported kidnapping and carjacking.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the police operatives, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and residents who assisted in the rescue operation.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community-supported policing against kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft and other violent crimes.
The police also urged residents of Enugu State to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.
