Security operatives kill over 30 suspected kidnappers in Enugu

More than 30 suspected kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, also known as the Unknown Gunmen, a notorious breakaway group of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) loyal to Finland-based Simon Ekpa that has been terrorising Enugu and its environs, have been gunned down in different locations in the state during gun battles with security operatives in the past two weeks, a detective has revealed.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, by the media office of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.

The statement quoted Police Commissioner Onochie Ezeh as saying he led a joint security operation to rescue some kidnapped victims along Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road in the early hours of Wednesday.

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

The police boss 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,” he stated.

“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.”

SP Ezeh further said that the Combined Security Force, 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 rescue operations, we were able to neutralize over 30 kidnappers and recover weapons and valuables,” the police chief added.

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

“Every time I walk by that bird, I feel like I have been denied justice by continuing to operate. They kidnapped us and held us there for five days,” she said.

“They even killed two of the victims because their families could only pay ten million naira each instead of the fifty million naira demanded. Despite the fact that I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still believe the area should be evacuated. The government should provide justice by turning that place into a garbage dump.”