The police command in Enugu says it rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects.

According to a statement by the command, firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits were recovered in separate coordinated operations by the police in the past 10 days.

On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, forest guards and community members, rescued two male and two female kidnap victims along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu LGA, said the command.

On the same day, at 6:34 p.m., operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect. According to the police, the suspect and three others attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised the alarm.

Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and forest guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu and Odolu in Kogi, the command stated.

“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with N150,000 and N70,000, respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

“The victims were rescued unhurt, and the exhibits were recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” said the statement.

On May 14, at 5:30 a.m., the command said its operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi.

The victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

In another operation, the command said on May 13, at 9:45 p.m., its Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad operatives rescued a kidnap victim along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.

“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered. Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” the police said.

(NAN)