Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, working jointly with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued an abducted victim during a coordinated operation in Udenu Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Thursday, followed a report that a male victim had been kidnapped by armed men in Ezimo-Uno community.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, immediately ordered the mobilisation of security operatives to rescue the victim and track down the perpetrators.
Ndukwe said the joint team, comprising personnel of the Police, Nigerian Army, Forest Guards, Neighbourhood Watch Group and local vigilantes, traced the suspects to the Agu-Shere and Okpakereke forest areas, where they encountered the kidnappers.
“During the operation, the suspects opened fire on the operatives, who responded with precision, neutralising one of the kidnappers, while others escaped into the forest bordering Benue State with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement said.
The abducted victim was rescued unharmed.
Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition, an extra magazine, two daggers, military camouflage uniforms, mobile phones, assorted food items, cooking utensils and a freshly slaughtered chicken.
SP Ndukwe added that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to combating violent crime across the state and urged members of the public, particularly health and medical service providers, to promptly report anyone presenting with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or security formation.
He also called on residents to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance public safety in Enugu State.
