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By Iheanyi Chukwudi
Five kidnap victims have been rescued by Operatives of Enugu State Police Command with Troops of the Nigerian Army, in a forest at Umulumgbe in Udi Local Government.
Police Operatives have also arrested four suspects for different offences; recovering firearms, ammunition, vehicle, household items, goods, and other incriminating exhibits.
The all male five victims were allegedly kidnapped on their way back from a traditional marriage at Ukehe community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government of the State.
They were rescued by Police Operatives serving in 9th Mile Police Division jointly with the Army Troops, at about 5pm on Monday, August 7, in the said forest.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (DSP), who confirmed incident and other operations, said the victims have reunited with their families, and that an intense manhunt operation is ongoing to fish out the fleeing suspects.
Giving details of the successes of the operations Ndukwe said, “Police Operatives of Enugu State have arrested a total of four male victims involved in different offenses of conspiracy, housebreaking and vandalism, and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
The arrest and other credible information-guided operations led to the rescue of five abducted individuals and the recovery of three firearms with two live cartridges, one mini truck, a laptop, assorted phones, household items and goods, among other incriminating exhibits.
“Accordingly, Police Special Forces and Operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division of the Command, in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch Group personnel, on 14/08/2023 at about 1.10pm, raided suspected IPOB/ESN subversive criminal hideouts, at Nkpamte community in Igbo-Eze North LGA.
One locally fabricated double-barreled pistol loaded with one live cartridge, components of a Pump Action gun, one Medion laptop, eleven assorted mobile phones and several phone charges. Meanwhile, an intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the hoodlums, who escaped on sighting the Operatives.
“Similarly, Police Operatives serving in Udenu Area Command of the State Command, working with a security personnel (names withheld), on 08/08/2023 at about 3.30pm, arrested one Chinemerem Ugwueze (male), aged 23, of Imilike-Enu in Udenu Local Government Area and recovered in his unlawful possession, one locally made double-barreled pistol.
The case is undergoing discreet investigation at the Firearm Section of the State CID Enugu.
“Furthermore, on 04/08/2023 at about 9.30pm, Police Operatives serving in New Haven Police Division of the Command recovered a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a live cartridge, from fleeing suspects that attempted to abduct their male victim to an unknown destination.
The victim, who had parked his car to make a call along Chime Avenue, Enugu, was accosted by the hoodlums operating in a Lexus Jeep, who forced him into their vehicle.
He, however, summoned courage and disarmed one of the miscreants of the firearm, escaped and handed the pistol over to the Police. Meanwhile, a frantic, discreet investigative effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing hoodlums.
“In a different development, Police Operatives serving in Abakaliki Road Police Division of the State Command, between July 14 and 24, 2023, arrested three suspects namely: Igwe Solomon, aged 25, Ikenna Aniekwe, aged 34, and Obasi Onyedika, aged 32, at different locations in Enugu metropolis, for conspiracy, vandalism and housebreaking, following the receipt of complaints and credible information.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Igwe Solomon specializes in breaking into people’s houses and shops, from where he carts away valuable household items and goods, and sells same to Ikenna Aniekwe, who owns a shop at Kenyatta market, while Obasi Onyedika facilitates the conveyance of the items to the receiver.
The exhibits recovered from them include: 1 white coloured Dina vehicle with registration number: ENU 673 ZE, 5 Royal Air-Conditioners, 2 Chest Freezers, 6 Royal Air-conditioner Compressors, 2 generators, a 48-inches Samsung Television and a 50-inches LG Television each, 4 Gee-Pee water tanks, 8 pieces of water heaters, 12 iron burglary proofs, 2 iron windows and 7 pieces Water Closets.”
He assured that all the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigations, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, has commended the Operatives and all who supported them in actualizing the operational feats.
The CP he further said charges the Police Operatives not to rest on their oars in ensuring that security and safety are maximally maintained in Enugu State.
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