Three kidnapped victims regain freedom in Enugu

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The Enugu State Police Command has rescued three victims of abduction and recovered two locally made firearms, ammunition and other exhibits following a swift response to a reported carjacking and kidnapping in the state.

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The command disclosed this in a statement issued by its police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday.

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Ndukwe stated that the victims were rescued during an operation by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit, with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other community members.

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According to the PPRO, the operation followed credible intelligence received at about 1:30 am on August 18, 2026, while the operatives were on crime-prevention patrol along the Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu.

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He stated that the information concerned the carjacking and abduction of occupants of a Lexus RX350 by armed hoodlums in Independence Layout.

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

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The command said the suspects abandoned the Lexus RX350 and their firearms when they reached the area before fleeing on foot.

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“The three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed, with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and law-abiding citizens, and taken to safety,” he added.

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The PPRO said the recovered exhibits included the victims’ vehicle, a locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size firearm and one live cartridge.

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He noted that other items recovered were a pair of gloves, a ski mask and a mobile phone, which the suspects allegedly abandoned while fleeing.

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The PPRO said the investigation had been intensified and a manhunt launched for the fleeing suspects.

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“The investigation has been intensified, with a manhunt launched to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects, recover further exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime,” the statement said.

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The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, commended the police operatives, Neighbourhood Watch members and residents who assisted in the rescue operation.

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He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community-supported operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes.

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The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.

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PUNCH Metro reported on Friday that 13 passengers abducted along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State were rescued after eight days in the kidnappers’ den.

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The victims had been kidnapped while travelling in an 18-seater commercial passenger bus from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

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