Juliet Oladele, Reporting
IN a significant victory against violent crime, the Enugu State Police Command has smashed a suspected kidnapping syndicate following a daring intelligence-led raid on their forest stronghold.
The operation unfolded at approximately 7:40pm on May 17, 2026, when police officers attached to the Igbo-Eze North Division stormed a notorious black spot hidden within dense bushland along the Amufie–Obollo-Afor boundary in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
Acting on actionable intelligence, the team moved against the camp in direct compliance with operational orders from the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who had recently ordered sustained crackdowns on identified criminal hideouts across Enugu State.
Upon arrival, officers were met with heavy gunfire from heavily armed hoodlums who attempted to fight their way out. But the police response was swift and overwhelming.
‘The criminals opened fire on the approaching operatives in an attempt to evade capture. However, the team responded with superior firepower, effectively repelling the attack,’ a police statement confirmed.
The suspects fled in disarray into the surrounding bushes, escaping with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
A meticulous search of the abandoned camp yielded a significant haul of weaponry, including two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 64 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Officers also recovered a red TVS Neo-NX motorcycle and several other incriminating items left behind by the fleeing gang members.
Reacting to the successful raid, CP Giwa ordered immediate operational and investigative sweeps to track down the wounded fugitives. He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling violent criminal networks across the state.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the operation on Wednesday, urged citizens to remain law-abiding and vigilant. He also appealed for public cooperation, asking residents to provide credible information to support ongoing crime-fighting efforts.
‘We cannot do it alone,’ Ndukwe said. ‘The public’s role in sharing intelligence is vital to keeping our communities safe.’
No arrests have been made so far, but police say the manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
