Police Rescue Three, Recover Firearms, Ammunition in Enugu

ENUGU— The Enugu State Police Command says its operatives have rescued three victims of abduction and recovered two locally made firearms, ammunition and other exhibits following a carjacking incident in Enugu.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), with support from the Neighbourhood Watch and community members, carried out the rescue operation.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence received at about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 18 while the operatives were on crime-prevention patrol along the Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu.

According to him, the intelligence concerned the carjacking and abduction of occupants of a Lexus RX350 by armed hoodlums within Independence Layout.

“Acting swiftly, the operatives commenced a hot pursuit of the suspects, which continued to Hillview Road, Independence Layout.

“On reaching the area, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and their firearms before fleeing the scene,” Ndukwe said.

He said the three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed with the support of members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other law-abiding citizens and taken to safety.

Ndukwe said the Lexus RX350 belonging to the victims was also recovered at the scene.

Other items recovered, according to him, included one locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one locally made cut-to-size firearm, one live cartridge, a pair of hand gloves, one skimask and one mobile phone.

He said investigation had been intensified, while a manhunt had been launched to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects, recover further exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and vigilant citizens for their swift and coordinated response.

According to Ndukwe, Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and community-supported operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the Police with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and solving crimes.