In a major crackdown, the Enugu State Police Command has arrested 123 suspects in operations conducted over the past two months. The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, shared the news during a press briefing where some of the suspects and seized items were displayed.

These operations led to the recovery of a wide range of weapons, including 15 AK-47s, 25 pump-action guns, and 35 other firearms. The police also seized 710 rounds of live ammunition, 187 cartridges, and a number of vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles. In addition, 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.

CP Uzuegbu reassured the public during the briefing, dispelling rumors about a supposed kidnapping incident near the Enugu State College of Health Technology, Oji-River. He clarified that no such event had taken place, urging residents to rely on verified information.

He said,

 “Rather, the four persons, three of whom were not students of the school, allegedly kidnapped around the College on August 14, 2024, have all been rescued and reunited with their families.

“Meanwhile, be informed that the suspects involved have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation.

“Also, the peddler of the unwarranted panic news on the incident has been traced and he has been apologizing for the mischievous act.

“Similarly, the sinister plans of the IPOB/ESN secessionist renegades to attack the police operatives and cause collateral damage at 4-Corner, along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway, on August 18, 2024, were squarely thwarted by the operatives.

“The militants, dressed in security forces uniforms and operating in a snatched Lexus 350 Jeep, suddenly opened fire on the patrol team on approaching the operatives.

“However, the operatives returned fire-for-fire and immobilized the Lexus Jeep, forcing the hoodlums to snatch a Toyota Camry car and escape the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Unfortunately, a Special Constabulary performing traffic control duty on the said road undergoing reconstruction, paid the supreme price with his life, while the team’s patrol vehicle was hit by bullets and engulfed in flames.

“The two vehicles the militants snatched from their owners, in their usual way of hiding under the guise of secessionist agitations to inflict social, economic and psychological pains on fellow citizens, have been recovered. Consequently, a joint team of security operatives are on their trail.”

Uzuegbu commended the Enugu State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, “for taking the bold and pragmatic steps of demolishing houses and facilities used in harbouring and perpetrating acts of abduction and kidnapping in the State.

“Therefore, I call on citizens of Enugu State, particularly landlords, hoteliers, and owners of uncompleted buildings to be mindful of who they accommodate in such structures.

“This is to ensure that they do not harbour criminals whose activities could bring about the demolition of their building facilities.”

While providing further details on the arrests made within the period, the Police Commissioner said, “yesterday, August 21, 2024, at about 5 p.m., Police Operatives serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad recovered an AK-47 rifle at New Artisan, Enugu.

“The recovery followed the operatives’ swift response to credible information alleging the milling around of suspicious persons in the area.

“The suspects, upon sighting the operatives, opened fire on them.

“However, the operatives promptly returned fire, forcing the hoodlums to escape with gunshot wounds and abandoning the rifle. However, a discreet investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“Similarly, on August 19, 2024, at about 1:30 a.m., a combined team of Tactical Police operatives busted a kidnapping gang hideout at New Artisan and arrested five (5) suspects.

“The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and aiding further discreet investigations aimed at fishing out others at large.

“Also, on August 15, 2024, at about 2 a.m., operational and tactical Police Operatives of the Command raided the camp of the outlawed IPOB/ESN renegades at Aninwede Nkwubor, Emene, Enugu.

“The subversive criminal elements on sighting the operatives, opened fire on them.

“But the operatives returned fire at a superior level, neutralizing two of them, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“Incriminating exhibits, including firearms the hoodlums snatched from security operatives after attacking them were recovered, while discreet investigations are ongoing to arrest those at large.

“Furthermore, on August 17, 2024, at about 3:20 a.m., a combined team of the Command’s Police Operatives serving in the Awkunanaw Police Division and Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested the following suspects: Obumneme Amara “m”, aged 26, of Ikwo LGA in Ebonyi State, Elom Chinedu (alias “Terry G”) “m”, aged 23, Sani Usman (alias “Gburugburu”) “m”, aged 27, and Onuh Emmanuel “m”, aged 26, all of New Cattle Market, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

“The suspects were arrested following the operatives’ swift response to credible information, alleging that the suspects are part of an armed robbery gang perpetrating criminal acts in different parts of the Enugu metropolis. However, further discreet investigations are ongoing to arrest their cohorts at large.

“Additionally, Police Operatives serving in the Independence Layout Police Division of the Command, on August 21, 2024, at about 2 p.m., arrested three male suspects and recovered a suspected stolen tricycle and a motor vehicle gearbox.

“The suspects, who were arrested during the operatives’ routine surveillance patrol at Idume, New Phase 2, Independence Layout, Enugu. The suspects include: Mohammed Mohammed, aged 27, of Thinkers Corner, Enugu, Onyedikachi Okolo, aged 22, and Mohammed Idris Sani, aged 22, both of New Artisan, Enugu.”

These arrests and recoveries show the Enugu State Police Command’s commitment to fighting crime and protecting the safety of the people. As many of the suspects have already been arraigned in court, the police continue to ensure law and order in the region.

Through these ongoing efforts, the police aim to make Enugu State a safer place for everyone.