The Enugu State Police Command said it has arrested four people involved in different offenses of conspiracy, housebreaking, vandalism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
This was made known in a statement signed by the State Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe and shared on the command’s X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The statement said,
“Police Operatives of Enugu State have arrested a total of four (4) male victims involved in different offenses of conspiracy, housebreaking, vandalism, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
“The arrest and other credible information-guided operations led to the rescue of five (5) abducted individuals and the recovery of three (3) firearms with two (2) live cartridges, one mini truck, a laptop, assorted phones, household items and goods, among other incriminating exhibits.
“Accordingly, Police Special Forces and Operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Division of the Command, in synergy with Neighbourhood Watch Group personnel, raided suspected IPOB/ESN subversive criminal hideouts, at Nkpamte community in Igbo-Eze North LGA.
One (1) locally fabricated double-barreled pistol loaded with one (1) live cartridge, components of a pump-action gun, one (1) Medion laptop, eleven (11) assorted mobile phones, and several phone charges.
“Similarly, Police officers serving in the Udenu Area Command of the State Command, working with security personnel (names withheld), on August 8, 2023, at about 3.30 pm, arrested one Chinemerem Ugwueze (male), aged 23, of Imilike-Enu in Udenu Local Government Area, and recovered in his unlawful possession, one (1) locally made double-barreled pistol. The case is undergoing discreet investigation at the Firearm Section of the State CID, Enugu.
“Also, acting on a distress call, Police Operatives serving in the 9th Mile Police Division of the Command, together with Troops of the Nigerian Army, on August 7, 2023, at about 5 pm, rescued five (5) male victims in a forest at Umulumgbe in Udi LGA, who were alleged to have been kidnapped on their way back from a traditional marriage at Ukehe community in Igbo-Etiti LGA.
The victims have reunited with their families, while an intense manhunt operation is ongoing to fish out the fleeing suspects.
Police Operatives also recovered a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a live cartridge, from fleeing suspects that attempted to abduct their male victim to an unknown destination while three others Igwe Solomon, aged 25, Ikenna Aniekwe, aged 34, and Obasi Onyedika, aged 32, were arrested for conspiracy, vandalism, and housebreaking, following the receipt of complaints and credible information.
The Police disclosed that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigations.