The Enugu State Police Command has rescued three victims of abduction and recovered their Lexus RX350, two locally made firearms and ammunition following a swift response to a distress alert in Enugu.
The rescue was carried out by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other community members.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Ndukwe said the operation followed credible intelligence received at about 1:30 a.m. on August 18 while the operatives were on crime-prevention patrol along the Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu.
According to him, the information concerned the carjacking and abduction of occupants of a Lexus RX350 by armed hoodlums in the Independence Layout area of the state.
He said the operatives immediately commenced a hot pursuit of the suspects, which continued to Hillview Road, Independence Layout.
“On reaching the area, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and their firearms before fleeing the scene,” Ndukwe said.
He added that the three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed with the support of members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other law-abiding citizens and taken to safety.
Ndukwe said the recovered items included the victims’ Lexus RX350; one locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition; one locally made cut-to-size firearm; one live cartridge; a pair of hand gloves; one ski mask; and one mobile phone.
He said investigation had been intensified, while a manhunt had been launched to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects, recover further exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime.
The PPRO quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, as commending the operatives, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and vigilant citizens for their swift and coordinated response.
“The Command remains committed to sustaining intelligence-led and community-supported operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes,” Giwa said.
The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.
Ndukwe reiterated the command’s appeal for continued cooperation from residents, stressing that effective community participation remained critical to combating violent crime and improving public safety across the state.
