Police rescue 12 kidnap victims in Enugu, foil attempt on others

The police in Enugu State have confirmed the attempt by kidnappers to abduct some travellers along the Ugwuogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road.

Residents had raised the alarm that the road was blocked by suspected Fulani herdsmen on two different occasions within 48 hours.

In a statement made available  by the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, he said that operatives raced to the scene and foiled the kidnap attempt.

“Police Operatives of the Command serving in Unity Division, on 21/09/2022 at about 7.10pm, responded to a distress call, alleging that suspected kidnappers blocked the road between Ekwegbe-Agu and Neke-Uno communities, respectively, in Enugu East and Igbo-Etiti LGAs, along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Highway, foiled the unidentified hoodlums’ attempt to kidnap some road users after a gun duel and thereafter, rescued two (2) male victims, who the criminal elements were at the verge of kidnapping, and also recovered their vehicles,” Ndukwe revealed.

He further disclosed that earlier before that incident, operatives serving in 9th Mile Police Division of the Command, with assistance from Neighborhood Watch Group, Forest Guard and law-abiding citizens, “on 16/09/2022 at about 5.30pm rescued in a forest at Okpatu community in Udi L.G.A., four (4) victims alleged to have been kidnapped at Umulumgbe community in the same L.G.A., on 15/09/2022 at about 4pm.

“This is in addition to their rescuing, on 14/09/2022 at about 4.15pm, six (6) other victims in the same forest, alleged to have been kidnapped on 12/09/2022 at Awhum community in Udi L.G.A. All the victims had since re-united with their families.”

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani had ordered the immediate deployment of more intelligence/operational resources to further contain emerging incidents of kidnapping/abduction in some parts of the State, particularly the recent cases along the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka road.

“This is to ensure the security and safety of innocent citizens, especially along major roads in the State,” he noted.