Enugu Police Rescue 21 Kidnapped Victims in Multiple Raids, Neutralize One Suspect, Arrest Another
In a series of coordinated security operations across Enugu State, the Police have rescued 21 kidnapped victims, neutralized one suspect, arrested another, and recovered weapons and other items linked to criminal activities.
The operations, carried out between May 20 and May 23, 2025, were in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, who has ordered intensified, intelligence-driven efforts to tackle kidnapping and violent crime in the state.
A statement by SP Daniel Ndukwe,
Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command said in one of the major breakthroughs, operatives from Okpuje Division, working in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch groups, Forest Guards, and local hunters, stormed a forest along the Enugu-Kogi border on May 23. Following a gun duel, eight kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed. One of the suspects was neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“Exhibits recovered at the scene linked the gang to the crime, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the Police said in a statement.
A day earlier, on May 22, a joint team led by the Oji-River Police Area Commander raided the Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani LGA and rescued nine victims who had been abducted the previous day along the Olo-Umulokpa Road. The captors abandoned their victims and escaped during an exchange of gunfire. The rescued persons were treated and reunited with their families.
That same day, Police operatives from the 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call in Ekochin Layout, Udi LGA, where they foiled an armed robbery attempt. A cut-to-size single-barrel gun and an expended cartridge were recovered, though the suspects managed to flee. A manhunt is underway.
Earlier on May 21, officers from Udenu Division, working with Forest Guards and Neighbourhood Watch members, rescued two men from a forest at Amalla-Egazi. The victims had been kidnapped on May 16 in the Ezimo community of Udenu LGA. In a separate incident the same day, operatives from Uwani Division rescued a female victim and recovered her Toyota Sienna vehicle in the Gariki area of Awkunanaw. The suspects in both cases fled on sighting the Police.
Another rescue operation was carried out on May 20 by operatives of the Awkunanaw Division, assisted by Neighbourhood Watch members. They rescued a man who had been kidnapped the previous day and held in an uncompleted building in Akwuke-Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA. The kidnappers had already extorted ₦30,000 from the victim’s relatives before his release. One male suspect was arrested during the operation.
Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, praised the efforts of the officers, community members, and local security partners involved in the successful operations.
“Our collective determination and timely collaboration are proving effective in reclaiming our communities from criminal elements,” CP Giwa said. “I have directed all supervisory officers to sustain proactive and intelligence-driven policing across the state.”
He also urged the public to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies with credible information that can aid in maintaining peace and security.
