The Enugu State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on vandalism, arresting four suspects and recovering a trailer load of vandalised bridge components alongside suspected carbon steel oil and gas pipes in coordinated operations across Nkanu East Local Government Area.
The breakthrough was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who said the operations were carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, PSC, as part of sustained efforts to curb vandalism and related criminal activities across the state.
According to the statement, “The Enugu State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, PSC, has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained efforts to curb vandalism and other criminal activities across the State. In two separate operations, four (4) male suspects were arrested, while vandalised iron bridge components loaded in a 40-foot trailer and pieces of suspected carbon steel oil and gas pipes were recovered.”
The police explained that the first operation took place on February 6, 2026, at about 6:45 p.m., when operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad, while on routine patrol along the Sagem/Amaechi–Idodo axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, intercepted a white MAN Diesel 40-foot trailer conveying vandalised iron bridge parts.
Three suspects — Agbo Okwudili (45), Emmanuel Onyemachi (18), and Evans Ovie Monday (29) — were immediately arrested at the scene.
Preliminary investigations, the police said, revealed that the suspects and other accomplices still at large allegedly vandalised bridge components at Eziama Bridge, Amechi-Idodo, in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
In a related operation later the same day, at about 11:56 p.m., SWAT operatives on patrol along Owoh/Ubahu Road, also in Nkanu East LGA, arrested another suspect, Orjiakor Hyacinth (50), who was allegedly found assembling vandalised suspected carbon steel oil and gas pipes.
Police operatives recovered several pieces of the pipes and one gas cylinder from the suspect during the operation.
The Command noted that investigations are ongoing to track down other suspects currently at large, adding that the arrested suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The statement further conveyed the position of the Commissioner of Police, noting that “The Commissioner of Police commends the operatives for their vigilance, prompt arrest of the suspects, and the recoveries made, and reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across Enugu State.”
The CP also issued a strong warning to vandals and other criminal elements, stressing that the Command would sustain efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
He warned that vandals, whose actions cause severe social and economic damage, must desist immediately as the police will continue to track down offenders across the state.
The police reassured residents of Enugu State of sustained security operations aimed at safeguarding critical infrastructure and public assets.
