Less than four days after rescuing 28 kidnapped victims and arresting 10 suspects, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued another 21 victims in a series of coordinated operations across the state.

The latest efforts also resulted in the killing of one suspected kidnapper, the arrest of another, and the recovery of a firearm, a vehicle, and other incriminating exhibits.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the breakthrough came on the heels of a directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, who ordered an intensified crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

Ndukwe in a statement weekend, said, “On May 23, 2025, police operatives from Okpuje Division, working with Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters, stormed a forest bordering Enugu and Kogi States. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt after a gunfight that left one suspect neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Exhibits linked to the gang were recovered, and efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.  

“Earlier, on May 22, 2025, the Oji-River Police Area Commander led a joint team to Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani LGA, where nine victims abducted along Olo-Umulokpa Road the previous day were rescued. The suspects fled following an exchange of gunfire, and the victims were treated and safely reunited with their families. 

“That same day, police operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded swiftly to a distress call at Ekochin Layout, Udi LGA, and foiled an armed robbery attempt. A cut-to-size single-barrel gun and an expended cartridge were recovered, while the suspects escaped. A manhunt is underway”.  

He continued: “On May 21, 2025, Police Operatives from Udenu Division, in synergy with Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members, rescued two men from a forest at Amalla-Egazi. 

“The victims had been kidnapped on May 16, 2025, in Ezimo community of Udenu LGA. Separately, Uwani Police Division operatives rescued a female victim and recovered her Toyota Sienna vehicle at Gariki, Awkunanaw, Enugu, on the same day. Both victims were reunited with their families, while suspects fled on sighting the operatives. Manhunts for the fleeing suspects are ongoing.  

“In another operation on May 20, 2025, Awkunanaw Police Division operatives, supported by Neighbourhood Watch members, rescued a man who had been kidnapped the previous day and tied up in an uncompleted building in Akwuke-Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA. His captors had extorted ₦30,000 from his relatives before his rescue. One male suspect was arrested, while efforts to track down his accomplices are underway”.  

Ndukwe said CP Giwa commended the officers, community members, and security partners whose collaboration made the successes possible. 

He further directed all supervisory police officers to sustain proactive and intelligence-driven operations, while urging the public to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies.