The Enugu State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 92 suspected criminals arrested between August and September 2023.
The Enugu state commissioner of police, CP, Kanayo Uzuegbu while addressing his maiden press conference in the state, also disclosed that 12 kidnapped victims were rescued from various parts of the state within the period under review.
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According to the CP, the suspects were arrested for cultism, robbery, murder, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Items recovered from the suspects according to the police boss includes four AK 47 rifles, 66 other firearms of different calibres, 333 live ammunition of different calibres, 25 vehicles and several other incriminating items such as charms and phones.
He said “one Kelechi Okwara aged 27, of Ohafia, Abia State was arrested on 24/09/2023 at about 6.30pm at Nokpa/Ezimma Nike boundary point, by Police Operatives in Abakpa and Trans-Ekulu Police Divisions, with assistance from Neighbourhood Watch Group, following their swift response to credible information. Preliminary investigation shows that the suspect squats with his brother at large who works as a security man in a house in Trans-Ekulu Enugu.
“The suspect confessed to having conspired with his said brother to kidnap his master’s mother in-law, his nanny and little baby to an unknown destination, on 23/09/2023 at about 8pm. That they demanded and obtained a ransom of three million naira (N3,000,000.00) from the said master and used the proceed to buy a red coloured Toyota Corolla car, which was recovered upon his arrest.
“Also earlier recovered is a Toyota Camry car the suspects had carted away upon the kidnapping of the victims. Further discreet investigation is ongoing.
“Also, Oshimiri Uchenna aged 25,
was arrested by Police Operatives serving in Amechi-Idodo Police Division of the Command, on 20/09/2023 at about 4am. His arrest was sequel to the Operatives swift response to credible information and busting of the criminal hideout of the suspect and cohorts at large armed robbery gang at Mbulu-Owo in Nkanu East LGA. One (1) Foreign-made pistol was recovered from them, while further discreet investigation is ongoing,” he said
The CP thereby assured his commitment in ensuring maximum security in the state.
He said “want to assure the good people of Enugu State and visitors that we remain committed to ensuring that maximum security and tranquility are maintained in the State.
“I want to state without ambiguity that negative insinuations on the security situations in Enugu State are false and unfounded. It amounts to making mountain out of a molehill. I, therefore, make bold to say that the State remains peaceful and a safe haven for visitors and investors to come and meaningfully carry out their lawful businesses.
“I therefore, call on those who may be contemplating to become criminals to do away with such thoughts, while those that have made the commission of crimes their stock in trade, are warned to repent of their own volition, as we shall not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with unrepentant criminal elements operating under any guise in the State.
“Consequently, I call on our parents, traditional and religious rulers, and leaders of thoughts in the State to re-orientate and warn their children and subjects to always be of good behaviour. This is because any action and activities inimical to the peace and order in the State by them; shall be met with appropriate policing actions in accordance with extant laws of the land.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba, for the support and encouragement he has been giving to us.
“Recall that I recently received and flagged off the Distress Response Squad (DRS), which is one of the Governor’s key operational supports to the Police, to promptly respond to and tackle crimes in the State. This is in addition to several frantic efforts he has been making to ensure that general crime management in the State is seamlessly achieved,” he said.
