On Monday night, a statement released by DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson for the Enugu state police command, revealed that two members of a kidnapping gang that had been causing unrest in the state were neutralized. The police action led to the rescue of a kidnapped individual.
The confrontation, which led to a gunfight, involved a combined team of police operatives, including members from the NPF Special Forces, Awkunanaw Police Division, and Tactical Teams of the Enugu State Command. The operation was overseen by DCP Olasoji Akinbayo, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
The details shared indicated that on Sunday, August 20, 2023, around 8 pm, the police operatives rescued the male victim near Centenary on the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway. During the engagement, one gang member known as Baron was neutralized immediately, while others fled, likely with gunshot injuries.
Evidence collected from the scene included the victim’s black Lexus 350 Jeep, a locally made revolver loaded with four cartridges, and another locally made pistol. Following the operation, a further search was conducted, leading to the discovery of another deceased gang member, identified as Chukwunonso, or “Nolly”, on the morning of August 21, 2023.
Both Baron and Nolly had been previously flagged on the Command’s criminal watch list. The successful operation resulted from a prompt police response to a distress call about the kidnap incident on Agbani Road, Enugu, that same night.
The new Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, commended the operatives for swiftly implementing his newly introduced strategies to combat crime. He emphasized the need for continuous vigilance and assured that under his leadership, criminals would find no refuge in the state.
