Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have raided a kidnap den, rescuing a victim and killing two of the suspected hoodlums in a gun battle.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the raid in a statement made available to journalists, yesterday.
He said “On October 17, 2024, around 8 p.m., operatives from the Enugu State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping, Distress Response and Special Intervention Squads, raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Nokpa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area, following a diligently gathered actionable intelligence.
“Upon the operatives’ arrival, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting a return of fire.
“In the process, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects and others linked to the syndicate is underway.
“A male victim, identified as the Personal Assistant (PA) to a public figure (names withheld), kidnapped by the gang on September 27, 2024, in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, was rescued unharmed.
“During the operation, the police recovered one G-3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and one hundred twenty-five rounds of live ammunition.”
Ndukwe added that preliminary investigations revealed that the criminal group had demanded a ransom of N40m for the release of the victim. “The group is also found to be responsible for several kidnappings within the Enugu metropolis and its environs. Some of their members had previously been arrested and arraigned in court, with firearms and ammunition recovered from them.
“Furthermore, the buildings used for these criminal acts, including the present one, have been destroyed by the Enugu State Government. “The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu has commended the operatives’ efforts and reiterated the command’s unwavering resolve to eradicate violent crimes in the state,” he further stated.
