More than 30 suspected kidnappers killed in Enugu

Nigerian police officers in Enugu have gunned down at least 30 kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, also known as Unknown Gunmen, a notorious breakaway faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to Finland-based Simon Ekpa, who have been terrorising Enugu and its environs.

A detective revealed that they were killed during a gun battle with security operatives at different locations in the state in the past two weeks.

This was contained in a statement issued by the news agency of Governor Peter Mbah, quoting a police commissioner, SP Onochie Ezeh, who led a joint security operation to rescue some kidnapped victims along Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road early Wednesday morning.

The operation led to the killing of a seven-man gang of kidnappers in Ogbeke Nike. The kidnappers used a large poultry farm to hide their hostages.

According to the police chief, Wednesday’s successful operation was part of the ongoing operations in the state to track 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.

SP Ezeh further revealed that the Combined Security Forces, which was established by the Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter 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 job is not to tell our story in the media, but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.
“I can tell you that we have already neutralized more than 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,” he said.