The Enugu State police command  has rescued a kidnapped girl and detained three suspects for allegedly kidnapping her for rituals in Ishiagu community of Ezeagu Local Government of the state.

The spokesman of the command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu, said that the feat was achieved by police operatives attached to the Umumba Division on May 27, at about 3:15a.m..

Mr Ndukwe said that the police operatives in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch personnel and vigilant community members, successfully rescued a 13-year-old girl (names withheld), allegedly kidnapped for ritual murder, at Umuojor village in Ishiagu community.

According to him, the operation also led to the detaining of three male suspects connected to the crime.

“The prime suspect, said to be a native doctor and prominent member of the community, fled the scene and is currently at large.

“During the rescue, two decomposing bodies, one male and one female, were discovered buried in a concrete-sealed pit within an uncompleted building, owned and used as a shrine by the fleeing prime suspect.

“Investigations reveal that the deceased victims were recently murdered and buried in the pit by the suspects for ritual purposes, and the rescued child was moments away from suffering the same fate before the timely intervention,” he said.

The spokesman said that in line with its laws, the Enugu State government had demolished the buildings owned by the fleeing prime suspect and used for the criminal enterprise.

“The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, who promptly visited the crime scene, has commended the efforts of the police operatives, local security groups, and community members, whose collaboration ensured the success of the operation.

“The commissioner also directed the Command’s Tactical Squads, as well as Investigation and Intelligence units , to intensify efforts in tracking down the fleeing suspect and other accomplices still at large, with a firm resolve to ensure justice is served,” he said.

 (NAN)