Enugu State Police have successfully apprehended 123 individuals for various crimes, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, vandalism, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrests were part of a series of operations conducted across the state from July to August.
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, made this announcement during a press briefing on Thursday at the state police headquarters. He revealed that some of the suspects have already been arraigned and are now in correctional facilities throughout the state. During the operations, law enforcement recovered a significant cache of 972 firearms and ammunition from the suspects. Additionally, 36 vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of these crimes were also seized. These included 17 cars, 11 tricycles, and eight motorcycles.
Among those arrested were individuals suspected of abducting students from the Enugu State College of Health Technology in the Oji River Council Area. This incident, which occurred on 14 August, saw armed individuals storm the college and kidnap several students. Although the police swiftly rescued two of the victims, three others remained missing at the time. Commissioner Uzuegbu confirmed during the Thursday briefing that the remaining three victims have since been rescued and reunited with their families. In addition to the college students, 16 other abducted individuals were also rescued during these operations.
Addressing recent reports, Mr. Uzuegbu refuted claims that four police officers were killed by gunmen along the Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway on Monday. He clarified that the attackers, suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), opened fire on police operatives but were repelled, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, a special constabulary officer, who was on traffic control duty, lost his life during the exchange, and a patrol vehicle was set ablaze by gunfire.
Commissioner Uzuegbu also commended Governor Peter Mbah for his decisive actions in demolishing buildings and properties that have been used to facilitate kidnappings in the state. He emphasized that these demolitions boost the morale of the police as they continue their operations to rid the state of criminal elements. The commissioner urged residents, including hoteliers, landlords, and owners of uncompleted buildings, to be vigilant about whom they allow on their properties, warning against inadvertently providing refuge to criminals.
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