Police foil kidnap attempt, neutralise suspect in Enugu

The Enugu Police Command has recorded major operational successes in crackdown on violent crimes and organised robbery across the State with the foiling of a kidnapping attempt in Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA and the arrest and prosecution of four suspected “one-chance” robbers in Enugu metropolis.

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, attached to the Adani Division and working jointly with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, foiled a kidnapping attempt in the early hours of Sunday, January 18, 2026, along the Ngene-Ukwu axis of the Adani–Nsukka Road.

The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. following an intense gun duel between the joint security team and armed kidnapping suspects.

During the exchange, one of the suspects was neutralised, while an AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of live ammunition was recovered.

Other members of the gang reportedly escaped into a nearby forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had emerged from a bush along the road with the intention of abducting occupants of a vehicle plying the route before they were intercepted by security operatives.

Efforts have since been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the entire criminal network.

Residents of the area, particularly healthcare providers, have been urged to promptly report anyone presenting with gunshot wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station or security formation.

In a related development, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad arrested four suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate operating within Abakpa-Nike and other parts of Enugu metropolis.

The suspects, identified as Ndubuisi Achioko (62), Nnaji Okeh (55), Nwobodo Dennis (57), and Chinedu Idam (36), were apprehended on January 10, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. while allegedly prowling for unsuspecting victims with a tricycle, which was recovered during the operation. All suspects are residents of Abakpa-Nike.

Police said the suspects confessed during interrogation to being part of a larger robbery syndicate operating from the Abakpa-Nike axis.

They have since been arraigned before a competent court and remanded in correctional custody, while a manhunt has been launched for other fleeing members of the gang.

Commending the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives involved in both operations, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ridding Enugu State of kidnapping, “one-chance” robbery, and other violent crimes.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and to promptly report suspicious movements or criminal activities to the nearest police station or through established police emergency channels.

Source: The Nation