Police Rescue 12 Victims, Parade 92 Suspected Kidnappers in Enugu
Gideon Arinze in Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command yesterday said they have rescued a total of 12 victims kidnapped from various locations in the state.
The police also said they have arrested a total of 92 suspects for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities, including conspiracy, murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, unlawful possession of firearms, and fraudulent acts between August and September.
The state Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, made this known yesterday during his maiden address to journalists at the headquarters of the Command.
In his address, Uziegbu said although the task of effectively policing society is daily becoming daunting, he has ensured that the right policing strategies are devised to tackle existing and emerging security challenges in the state.
According to him, “These strategies are subsumed in my grassroots-driven, proactive, people-oriented and problem-solving policing thrust, which is in line with the policing vision and mission of the acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.”
The CP noted that he has also met and interacted with critical security stakeholders, including local government area chairmen, traditional rulers, heads of other security agencies, and others, on the best ways to collectively tackle security challenges in the state.
Among those arrested for conspiracy and kidnapping was Kelechi Okwara, who conspired with his brother to kidnap his master’s mother-in-law, his nanny, and a little baby to an unknown destination at about 8 p.m. on September 23, 2023.
According to him, “They demanded and obtained a ransom of N3 million from the said master, and used the proceeds to buy a red Toyota Corolla car.
“The suspect was arrested the following day at Nokpa/Ezimma Nike boundary point by police operatives in Abakpa and Trans-Ekulu Police Divisions, with assistance from Neighbourhood Watch Group, and the car was recovered while his said brother is still at large.”
Items recovered from all the arrests made included four AK-47 rifles, 333 live ammunition, 66 firearms of different categories, and 25 vehicles.
The CP thanked the state Governor, Peter Mbah, for his support and encouragement to the police, while also assuring the people of Enugu State and visitors that the police remain committed to ensuring that maximum security and tranquility are maintained in the state.
