The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers after a of their hideout on Thursday in the state.
The killing was confirmed by the police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement made public; the police noted that the raid was carried out by operatives from the command’s Anti-Kidnapping, Distress Response, and Special Intervention Squads. According to the police, the operation had taken place in Nokpa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area; the operation also led to the rescue of some individuals who were held hostage by the suspects.
It was explained that the police acted on intelligence, which led to a mobilization of officers to the hideout of the kidnappers, the criminals he noted when cited. The police opened fire, which lasted for several minutes; the fight, according to him, led to the killing of two suspects while others fled the scene with various degrees of injuries.
The statement further disclosed that the rescued victim, who was identified as the personal assistant to a prominent public figure in the state, was taken hostage by the gang on September 27, 2024, in the Trans-Ekulu area of Enugu. The kidnapper had asked him to pay the sum of N40m before he would be released.
Ndukwe revealed that the gang was responsible for a series of kidnappings within the Enugu metropolis and surrounding areas and that several of their members had previously been arrested and prosecuted.
In a recent effort by the Enugu State Government, it had ordered the demolishing of some buildings used by the criminals as part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and ensure the safety of residents.
