Enugu state police command has arrested 5,176 suspects for various criminal offences, rescue 113 kidnapped victims, recover 71 vehicles, 105 firearms, ammunitions and other items, attributing successes to a proactive, determined, intelligence-led policing and operational coordination”.
The Commissioner of Police,Enugu state Police Command, Mammam Bitrus Giwa made this known on Thursday, at the Police headquarters,Enugu, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the Command within his six months in office.
He said in alignment with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D. he ,pledged to entrench a policing system that is professional, proactive, and people-friendly. These three principles, according to him, have guided his leadership approach and shaped the strategic direction of the Command in delivering on their mandate. He also said
upon his assumption of office, he showed commitment to professionalism, integrity, and discipline
Giving the breakdown of operational successes recorded, CP Giwa said 98 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 87 for kidnapping, 50 for murder,
16 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition,11 for rape or defilement, 122 for cultism and related crimes, and 4,792 for other offences such as theft, vandalism, human trafficking, and burglary.
He disclosed that a total of 113 abducted or kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
Pix: CP Giwa( 2nd left)
On the recovery made, CP Giwa said they recovered 105 firearms, including 8 AK-47 and 1 G-3 automatic rifles, 271 rounds of ammunition, and 71 vehicles used in, or recovered from, various criminal activities ,adding that many other incriminating exhibits were also recovered during the operations.
On the review of notable cases recorded, the Commissioner mentioned arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, Obodoagu Ikediekpere, and one other individual for the kidnapping and murder of his 5-year-old male second cousin, following thorough intelligence gathering and investigation.
“In another widely publicized case, the suspect, Obieze Levi, alias E Dey Pray E Dey Show, was arrested alongside two other accomplices and charged with kidnapping and ritual murder.
” Additionally, two sisters Juliet Chukwu and Ngozi Nancy Chukwu were apprehended, arraigned in court and remanded for kidnapping a kinsman and collecting a ransom of ₦10,000,000, which was fully recovered.
“Furthermore, several intra- and inter-state armed robbery, kidnapping, vehicle snatching, and theft syndicates have been successfully dismantled. These operations have led to the arrest of numerous suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the recovery of stolen or snatched vehicles.”, Giwa said.
He told newsmen of a recent case that involved the arrest of four male suspects and the recovery of fifteen stolen vehicles. CP Giwa said the criminal gang was responsible for multiple kidnappings of drivers, whom they abducted to unknown locations, forcibly withdrew funds from their accounts, and made away with their vehicles.
“The recovered vehicles were found in various states and locations, including Anambra and Rivers States, as well as Enugu and Nsukka.
Pix: Some of the recovered vehicles
“The same gang was behind the sporadic shooting and abduction of a male victim in his Mercedes Benz Jeep around 9:00 p.m. in May 2025 at the G.R.A., Enugu. Following my immediate directive, Tactical Team were deployed to track and apprehend the criminals and rescue the victim. The operatives successfully rescued the victim, neutralized one of the gang members, while others escaped in the victims SUV, which was later recovered,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police added that a locally made double-barreled pistol loaded with two live cartridges and a green Nissan vehicle used in the operation were recovered.
“In another notable operation, an armed robbery attempt was foiled in the Independence Layout area of Enugu. One of the suspects was neutralized, and firearms were recovered.
“Sixteen (16) domestic and transnational human trafficking syndicates were dismantled during the period under review. Thirty-three (33) stolen or trafficked children and persons have been rescued, and several suspects apprehended. A notable case is the arrest of one Raymond Sunday Wonna (male, 30), who was intercepted while trafficking two female victims aged 18 and 16 to Ghana. The suspect was charged to court and subsequently remanded in correctional custody.
On homicide, the Commissioner said ,
“One particularly disturbing case of homicide involved the murder of 22-year-old Deborah Sam-Praise Ememem at a hotel in Nsukka by her alleged boyfriend, Emmanuel Gambo, also aged 22, in June 2025.
“Acting on my directive, detectives from the State CID acted swiftly on intelligence, arrested the suspect at his lodge in Nsukka, and ensured his arraignment in court. He was also remanded in correctional custody.
many of these cases have already been charged to court, with the suspects remanded in Nigerian Correctional Service custody. Investigations are ongoing in several recent cases, and upon their conclusion, the cases will also be duly prosecuted in court”, CP Giwa said.
According to him, the highlighted cases represent just a few examples of the successes the Command, under his watch,” achieved through a proactive, determined, intelligence-led policing and operational coordination”.
The Commissioner mentioned the effective security management of the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which was recently held in Enugu; the deployment of joint security team to tackle the previously persistent herders-farmers-related crimes in communities of Isi-Uzo and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas as well as reduction in violent acts carried out under the guise of secessionist agitation.
He noted that from the outset, he had emphasized the need for all policing activities in the State to be carried out in strict compliance with the ethical and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force. Through various internal engagements conferences, meetings, and tours to the State CID, Area Commands, Divisions, and Tactical UnitsI have consistently urged officers and men to uphold professionalism, discipline, and integrity.
Pix: Some of the recovered items
“I have made it unequivocally clear that there is zero tolerance for extortion, corruption, or any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute. Officers have also been warned against interfering in civil matters, especially those involving land disputes. In such instances, they are encouraged to advise the parties involved to seek legal redress through the appropriate civil channels.
“I have continued to remind our personnel of the need to be friendly and humane in their dealings with members of the public. I have emphasized the importance of exercising emotional and social intelligence while carrying out their duties. In my view, these qualities are essential to building and sustaining public trust in law enforcement.
He emphasized discipline in the Nigeria Police Force. “Accordingly, I have ensured that the highest level of discipline is maintained within the Command, and any officer found wanting has been subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures. I firmly believe that without discipline, there can be no professionalism, no respect for human rights, and no effective policing.”, he said.
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The 29Th Commissioner Commissioner of police, Enugu state police command commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba, “whose security-focused leadership has provided the enabling environment for our work”,he said.
He commended their sister security agencies, the Enugu State Forest Guards, the Neighbourhood Watch Group, the “law-abiding citizens, who have continued to provide credible intelligence and information that aid “our ‘operations.’
CP Giwa also commended “the officers and men of the Command for their resilience and commitment to duty”, saying, “I always remind them that the best reward for good work is more good work.”
On Ember Months , the Commissioner of police said, “As we step into the Ember Months a period often characterized by increased commercial and social activities We have already begun preparations to ensure maximum public security and safety across the State”, he said.
The Enugu state police command boss called on stakeholders , residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organizations, the media, and all security partners to continue to support the efforts of the Police Command in making Enugu State peaceful and safe for all.
“Together, we can achieve and sustain a secure, peaceful, and thriving environment for the good of everyone in Enugu State” he said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama