Enugu Police detain 6,240 suspects, rescue 211 kidnap victims in 17 months

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Enugu State Police Command says it detained 6,240 suspects and rescued 211 kidnapped victims in 17 months of sustained security operations across the state.

The command also recovered 156 firearms and 1,486 rounds of assorted ammunition during the period, highlighting the scale of its operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, disclosed the figures on Friday while receiving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, AIG Miller Dantawaye, who paid a working visit to the command.

The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, made the disclosure in a statement issued on behalf of the commissioner on Saturday in Enugu.

Giwa said the figures covered the period from March 11, 2025, when he assumed office as Commissioner of Police in the state, to September 2026.

According to him, the command detained 158 kidnapping suspects, 186 armed robbery suspects, 188 murder suspects and 57 suspects linked to rape and defilement.

He added that 273 suspects were detained for cultism, while 63 others were detained for unlawful possession of firearms.

The remaining 5,315 suspects were detained for various other offences, including stealing, breaking and vandalism, the commissioner said.

Beyond the arrests, the command recovered a significant cache of weapons, including 43 AK-47 rifles and one G-3 assault rifle.

Giwa also disclosed that 209 vehicular exhibits comprising motor vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles were recovered during the operations.

The commissioner attributed the results to sustained intelligence-led operations, proactive policing and security collaboration with neighbouring states.

He said the command’s efforts had been reinforced by the deployment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, intensified border patrols under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative, and improved emergency response through the Distress Response Squad and Command-and-Control Centre.

Giwa, however, called for continued support from the police zone, particularly in manpower, operational logistics and personnel welfare, to enable the command to consolidate its achievements.

Responding, AIG Dantawaye charged officers and men of the command to uphold professionalism, discipline, accountability and ethical conduct while strictly adhering to Force regulations and respecting citizens’ rights.

He urged the personnel to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities and sustain public confidence in the police.

Dantawaye also expressed his readiness to work with the command to further strengthen security across Enugu State.