Police Arrest 228 Suspects For Various Offences In Enugu

Police in Enugu State yesterday said they arrested 228 suspects over the past two months in connection with various serious crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, illegal possession of firearms, and cultism.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr. Bitrus Giwa, announced this during his inaugural news conference at the police headquarters in Enugu, where he outlined key achievements since assuming office.

According to CP Giwa, the command also successfully rescued 36 kidnapped victims, recovered 44 firearms, 173 rounds of ammunition, and 20 stolen vehicles. He emphasised the command’s continued commitment to enhancing public safety and dismantling criminal networks across the state.

“The breakdown shows that 44 are armed robbery suspects, 33 are cases of kidnapping,  12 for murder cases and 6 persons for illegal possession of firearms, 5 rape and defilement, 44 cultism and 149 for other crimes,” Giwa said.

Commissioner Giwa also expressed strong concern over the growing spread of misinformation and fake news, particularly through social media platforms. He warned that individuals found creating or disseminating false information would not be treated lightly but would be dealt with by the law.

He specifically criticised the tendency of some social media users to circulate unverified content without considering its potential to incite panic or undermine public trust.

Giwa urged journalists and media practitioners to uphold the principles of responsible journalism, emphasising the need for accuracy, verification, and ethical reporting in shaping public discourse.

“Fake news is real, and its negative impact on the lives and mental well-being cannot be overemphasised.  Therefore, I urge those responsible for creating and spreading fake news, especially on social media, to stop forthwith; such actions have serious legal consequences, and we’ll not hesitate to pursue anyone found culpable.

“I encourage all journalists and citizens in Enugu State to engage in responsible media practice.  Please verify information before posting or sharing any security-related content, particularly on social media.

“Your support and cooperation are crucial as we continue to intensify our efforts to combat emerging crimes in the state.  We recognise the importance of the media in disseminating information in this digital age.

“However, the timing, purpose and method of reporting security incidents must be carefully scrutinised to avoid causing unnecessary panic and creating false impressions in the minds of unsuspecting citizens,” Giwa warned.

Giwa also used the opportunity to remind his officers and men of the need to avoid unprofessional conduct that would bring the image of the police to disrepute, stressing that the state police command under his watch has zero tolerance for corruption, including extortion of money from members of the public.