Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, mspsp, smicm, has vowed to sustain the Command’s offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes and continue making Enugu State increasingly unconducive for unrepentant criminals and criminal elements seeking to infiltrate the State.
The CP made the declaration on Friday, 14th August 2026, while briefing the press at the Command Headquarters, GRA, Enugu, where he disclosed the arrest of fourteen (14) kidnapping suspects linked to multiple abduction cases involving substantial ransom payments.
CP Giwa said the arrests followed sustained human and technical intelligence-led operations, including joint operations across State lines. He highlighted recent successes involving the rescue of kidnapped victims at Ogbozara Community in Nsukka LGA, Enugu State, and Owukpa Community in Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State. He also disclosed that following the abduction of three victims at a church in Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi LGA, one victim was rescued on 2nd August 2026. Subsequent operations led to the rescue of the remaining two victims, arrest of three suspects, neutralisation of one suspect and recovery of ransom money, firearms and ammunition.
Further operations by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Violent Crime Response Unit (AK-VCRU) led to the arrest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, of two additional suspects linked to the Affa Church kidnapping. The suspects had fled Enugu under operational pressure but were traced and arrested. Preliminary investigation revealed that they later regrouped with other gang members in Port Harcourt and abducted another victim, who was released after a ransom of ₦5,000,000.00 was paid.
The Commissioner further disclosed that twelve (12) other suspects were earlier arrested in June, July and August 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kwara and Taraba States.
He said preliminary investigation indicated that they belong to an organised criminal network operating from different parts of the country. The suspects allegedly converge in Enugu to plan and execute kidnapping operations before returning to their respective locations.
According to the CP, the network is aided by an Enugu-based member who operates a tricycle and provides transportation for gang members, firearms and other criminal implements. Another member allegedly supplies intelligence used to evade security surveillance and identify suitable targets and operational locations.
“The suspects have, during interrogation, confessed to involvement in several kidnapping incidents across Enugu State. These include cases along the Enugu–Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road; Obioma–9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Okpatu Road; Eke–Affa–Egede–Ezinze axis; and various locations in Ezeagu LGA. Preliminary investigation has linked them to the abduction of a victim at Mgbabuowa/Aguobuowa, Ezeagu LGA, on 25th May 2026, for which ₦5,500,000.00 was obtained as ransom.
“They were also linked to the abduction of two victims and the shooting and murder of a female victim at Obioma, Udi LGA, on 9th May 2026, during which $28,700.00 was obtained. Other cases include the abduction of two victims along the Eke–Ezinze Road, Udi LGA, on 10th April 2026, for which $70,000.00 was obtained, and the kidnapping of seven victims at Obinaofia, Ezeagu LGA, on 12th April 2026, during which ₦25,000,000.00 was obtained as ransom.
“Investigation has further revealed that the suspects concealed and laundered proceeds of their criminal activities through investments in livestock and properties, lavish spending and other conspicuous consumption.
“The proceeds were also used to fund leisure and overseas trips, including to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon.