The Enugu State Police Command says it has conducted multiple operations that led to the busting of a kidnapping gang hideout and the arrest of five suspects for burglary and car stealing.
These operations the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said also resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition, military uniforms, and stolen items, including a car.
According to him, on December 15, 2024, a combined team of operatives from Nsukka Area Command, acting on intelligence, raided a kidnapping gang’s hideout in Nru community, Nsukka LGA.
The suspects he said engaged the operatives in a gunfight, but fled with gunshot injuries under superior police firepower.
The police spokesman said a loaded revolver pistol, a cut-to-size single-barrel gun, two live cartridges, military camouflage uniforms, a Moniepoint POS machine, and ATM cards were recovered from the suspects.
He said preliminary investigations revealed the gang’s involvement in a recent case of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in Nsukka adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
“In a different operation, on November 14, 2024, operatives from the Abakaliki Road Police Division of the Command arrested four burglary male suspects, namely: Nelson Uchechi, aged 22, Waziri Adamu, aged 21, Auwal Kachalla, aged 30, and Abba Mohammed.
“The suspects had burgled and stolen bicycles, laptops, phones, and other items from a house in GRA, Enugu, on November 14, 2024, around 2 a.m. The stolen items were recovered, while the suspects confessed to the crime and were subsequently arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial custody.
“In another operation, operatives from the Central Police Station of the Command, in early December 2024, arrested Chukwudi Chika (male, aged 35) for stealing a red Volkswagen Passat car from where it was parked on the premises of a church at Coal Camp, Enugu.
“The car was recovered, while the suspect confessed to the crime. He has been arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial custody.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring public security and safety in Enugu State during the festive period and beyond.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant, report suspicious individuals and their activities, and also cooperate with law enforcement agents to maintain peace and security across the State.