A kidnapping suspect has been shot dead by the police in Enugu State during a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The operation, which resulted in the successful rescue of an abducted male victim, was carried out on Saturday by officers from the Police Commissioner’s Monitoring Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development.
He said the kidnapping occurred on Friday night when a group of gunmen seized the victim in his Mercedes SUV, after firing shots indiscriminately within the Government Residential Area of Enugu.
The assailants reportedly moved the victim to an undisclosed location. Upon receiving news of the incident, Enugu State Police Commissioner Bitrus Giwa wasted no time in launching a tactical response.
“The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bitrus Giwa, ‘immediately mobilised’ police operatives to track down the kidnappers upon receipt of information about the attack,” Mr Ndukwe said.
Following intelligence efforts, the suspects were traced to a remote valley in Ngwo, a community in Enugu South Local Government Area. It was there that the gun battle broke out.
“A gunfight ensued, leading to the neutralisation of one of the suspects and the safe rescue of the victim,” the police spokesperson revealed.
“However, the suspects had forcefully transferred the sum of N2.2 million from the victim’s account after initially demanding a ransom of N20 million,” he added.
The operation also yielded the recovery of a locally fabricated double-barrelled pistol with two live cartridges and a green Nissan Almera car used by the kidnappers.
Ndukwe disclosed that Police Commissioner Giwa praised the operatives for their swift action and directed that the hunt for the remaining gang members be intensified, along with efforts to recover the victim’s SUV.
He reiterated the command’s resolve to cleanse Enugu of criminal elements and called on residents to continue supporting law enforcement by providing actionable information.
Spike in Kidnappings Across Enugu
Kidnapping incidents have surged in recent months across Enugu State, with hotspots including Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas.
Civilians from various walks of life—civil servants, entrepreneurs, students, and politicians, have been increasingly targeted.
This latest development follows the abduction of nine individuals, among them two Catholic reverend sisters, in Eburumiri, Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South LGA.
The victims were rescued last Friday after spending several days in captivity.
Rising insecurity in the South-east is frequently attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra, a secessionist group. However, IPOB has consistently denied any connection to such criminal activities.
