The Enugu State Police Command has achieved major successes in its ongoing campaign against violent crimes, particularly kidnapping. Between July 5 and 16, 2025, the Command neutralised one armed kidnapping suspect, arrested five others, rescued a victim, and recovered an AK-47 rifle with live ammunition, a Toyota Corolla vehicle, N10 million ransom cash, and other incriminating evidence in multiple intelligence-led operations.

On July 16, at approximately 3:00 p.m., operatives from the Okpuje Division, in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters, responded swiftly to a distress call about armed kidnappers sighted in the Okpuje-Ani forest, Nsukka LGA. Upon engaging the operatives in a shootout, one of the suspects was fatally wounded while others escaped. An AK-47 rifle loaded with two live rounds of ammunition was recovered at the scene.

Later the same day, around 4:00 p.m., the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested one Aliyu Adamu, aged 23, at Ugwu-Onyeama along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. The suspect confessed to being involved in multiple kidnapping operations and admitted he was invited from Awka, Anambra State, by an accomplice currently at large.

In another major breakthrough on July 15, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad apprehended two sisters, Juliet Chukwu (39) and Nancy Chukwu (40), during a covert operation. The women, who falsely claimed to be law enforcement officers, were caught sharing a N10 million ransom payment, which they extorted from a kinsman they had conspired to kidnap on July 14 after demanding N50 million. The victim was rescued unharmed, and both the ransom cash and a Toyota Corolla belonging to one of the suspects were recovered.

Earlier, on July 5, at about 5:30 p.m., the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested two suspects, Usman Musa (20) and Musa Zaria (24), both from Kogi State, in a tactical raid at Okemmou, 9th Mile Corner in Udi LGA. The suspects were found with personal belongings — including clothing and a wristwatch — of two victims kidnapped on July 4. The victims later identified both the items and the suspects involved in their abduction.

All arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional accomplices still at large.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, commended the operatives for their bravery, professionalism, and swift response. He assured the public of the Command's steadfast commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements and safeguarding the lives and property of residents.