27 kidnappers killed in Enugu in 2 weeks — Police

Police have revealed that at least 27 kidnappers, including members of the ‘Auto Pilot’, better known as unknown gunmen, have been killed in Enugu State in the past two weeks.

Auto Pilot is a notorious breakaway group of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to Finland-based fugitive Simon Ekpa.

The members of the group, which has long been terrorising Enugu and its environs, were gunned down during a gun battle with security operatives at different locations in the state, a detective told our correspondent.

Speaking on Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road in the early hours of Wednesday, a Police Commissioner, SP Onochie Ezeh, who led a joint security operation to rescue some kidnapped victims, revealed that the operation led to the killing of a 7-man kidnap gang at Ogbeke Nike, where the kidnappers used a large poultry farm to hide their hostages.

He explained that Wednesday’s successful operation was part of the ongoing operations in the state to hunt down criminals operating from other neighbouring states including kidnappers, unknown gunmen and other unscrupulous elements.

“We have been on the trail of these kidnappers for over three months. They operated within this axis where they kidnapped their victims and held them at a large poultry farm in Ogbeke Nike until ransom was paid.

“So, on a tip-off from members of the public who suspected the strange movements in the area and the stories of some victims of these criminals, we swung into action. Upon seeing us, these underworld men opened fire on my men, and we quickly retaliated and overpowered them with our superior firepower,” he stressed.

Ezeh further said that the Combined Security Unit, which was established by Governor Mbah as a tactical unit against kidnappings and activities of unknown gunmen, had achieved milestones in policing the state and tracking criminal elements.

“This is a brave crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of menace in the state. We have recorded tremendous successes in the past few months. You know that our role is not to run to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

“I can tell you that we have already neutralized over 7 criminal gangs, who were mostly kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the fight to their doorstep because the governor said we will not be allowed to come back home if we do not completely rid the state of threats.

“So we are on it. During our operations, we have identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue locations where kidnapped victims and dangerous weapons are kept. These places include New Artisan Market, Akwuke community, Akegbe-Ugwu, Four Corners, Awgu, Mgbowo, Emene, Eke and Afa in Udi and some parts of Isi Uzo local government.

“During the rescue operations we were able to eliminate more than 30 kidnappers and seize weapons and valuables,” the police chief added.

Meanwhile, residents of the state have called on Governor Mbah to go beyond arresting and tracking down the kidnappers. He should also invoke his power as the highest security officer of the state and destroy all properties where the kidnappers are located.

They stressed that the law empowers the state government to demolish buildings used for kidnapping activities, including hotels and private facilities.

Speaking to journalists in Enugu, a senior lawyer, Chief Ani Iheanacho, said the state already has an existing penal code, which was amended in 2016 to accommodate a new section that empowers the governor to demolish buildings used for kidnapping.

“We cannot continue like this. Yes, in addition to pursuing criminals, the governor must show both political and legal courage to go after properties that are being used as hostage cells and take them down, regardless of who the owner or owners are.

“The state must deter these criminals and those who give them access to such buildings. That is what justice is all about. It is justice for the kidnap victims, justice for the families of the victims and justice for society as a whole,” the lawyer said.

One of the rescued kidnap survivors, Dr. Kate Pamela, spoke of her ordeal and said she was traumatized by the horrific experiences endured by her kidnappers.

“Every time I walk through that fowl, I feel like I have been denied justice by allowing it to continue operating. They kidnapped us and held us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families could only pay N10 million each instead of the N50 million demanded. Despite being able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel the area should be evacuated.

“The government should provide justice by turning that place into a dumping ground,” Dr. Pamela added.