Enugu police Arrest 5,895 Suspects, Rescue 168 Kidnap Victims In One Year

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Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa
Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa

FIC Report (Enugu State) – Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, says the command arrested 5,895 suspects for various crimes and rescued 168 kidnapped victims within one year of his leadership as the Commissioner of Police of the command.

He made that known while briefing Newsmen on Wednesday at the State Police Headquarters in Enugu.

Reviewing the command’s achievements since his assumption of office on March 11, 2025, CP Giwa said his administration had focused on professional, proactive and people-friendly policing, a strategy he said had contributed to a noticeable reduction in violent crimes across the state.

He emphasized that discipline and professionalism remain central to the operations of the Nigeria Police Force, warning that officers who violate the standards of the force face strict sanctions.

According to him, the command’s efforts align with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who has repeatedly stressed professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights and community-centered policing.

The police commissioner revealed that operatives recently rescued 12 kidnapped victims from a forest in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area after a coordinated operation involving the military, forest guards and neighbourhood watch groups.

He said three suspects linked to the kidnapping gang were later arrested and weapons including a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated revolver and ammunition were recovered.

In another operation, five suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and armed robbery were arrested along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka road.

Giwa added that police operatives also rescued a kidnapped clergyman during a joint bush-combing operation near the Enugu-Benue border where one kidnap suspect was neutralized and an AK-47 rifle recovered.

On cultism, drug and sexual offences, CP Giwa said the command also recorded major breakthroughs in tackling cultism and drug trafficking.

He said 210 suspects were arrested for cultism and illicit drug offences, including members of the Black Axe confraternity whose initiation ceremony was disrupted by police operatives in a forest near Nsukka.

Several firearms, vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones and other items were recovered during the raid.

The police also arrested 39 suspects for rape and defilement, including an 18-year-old man accused of breaking into a woman’s home through the ceiling before allegedly raping her at knife-point in Enugu.

Another suspect was arrested for allegedly impregnating his 12-year-old ward, while a 45-year-old man was detained for allegedly defiling his teenage daughters.

One-Year Crime Statistics

Presenting a summary of the command’s achievements, Giwa said the police arrested:

148 suspects for armed robbery

129 suspects for kidnapping

158 suspects for murder

48 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms

39 suspects for rape or defilement

210 suspects for cultism and drug offences

In addition, 5,163 suspects were arrested for other crimes such as fraud, vandalism, stealing and human trafficking.

The command also recovered 105 firearms, including 22 AK-47 rifles, and 665 rounds of ammunition, while 118 stolen vehicles were recovered.

Giwa commended the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his administration ‘s support . He also commended security agencies, forest guards, neighbourhood watch groups and residents who provide intelligence to the police.

He assured residents that the command remains committed to strengthening security across the state.

Udeh Stephnie Adaeze,
Senior Information and Public Relations Officer,
FIC Enugu
(12/03/2026).