The Enugu State Police Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough following an intelligence-led raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation, carried out on 17 May 2026 at about 7:40 p.m. by operatives attached to the Igbo-Eze North Division, led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, a motorcycle, and other incriminating exhibits after a fierce gun duel with suspected armed kidnappers.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the raid followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordering sustained intelligence-driven operations against criminal hideouts across the state.
He said the operatives stormed a forest location along the Amufie–Obollo-Afor boundary, where they were immediately engaged in a gun battle by armed hoodlums.
“The hoodlums opened fire upon sighting the Police team. However, the operatives responded with superior firepower and successfully repelled them, forcing the suspects to flee into the bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement said.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, sixty-four rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and a red TVS Neo-NX motorcycle suspected to have been used for criminal operations.
The Police Command noted that the fleeing suspects are currently being tracked, adding that intelligence and surveillance operations have been intensified to ensure their arrest and dismantling of the network behind the criminal activities.
Commissioner of Police, CP Giwa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against violent crime in the state.
“We will not relent in our efforts to rid Enugu State of criminal elements. Our operations will continue to target known hideouts and disrupt their networks,” he said.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and crime prevention efforts.
The Command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional operational weapons believed to be in circulation within the area.
