The Enugu State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has paraded 92 suspected criminals arrested in the last one month.
Parading the suspects at the Command's headquarters, on Tuesday, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, said that 12 kidnapped victims were rescued from the various parts of the state within the period under review.
According to the commissioner, the arrests were effected between August 16 and September 25, adding that the suspects were arrested for cultism, robbery, murder, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
Within the period under review, the Commissioner said the Command recovered 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 from the suspects.
CP Uzuegbu said one Kelechi Okwara, 27, who hails from Ohafia, Abia State, had last Saturday, September 23, conspired with his brother, who works as a security man in a house in Trans-Ekulu Enugu to kidnap his brother’s master’s mother in-law, his nanny and little baby.
Kelechi and his brother, who are now at large, had taken the victims to an unknown destination, on 23/09/2023 at about 8pm and demanded and obtained a ransom of N3 million from the said master and used the proceed to buy a red coloured Toyota Corolla car, which was recovered upon his arrest last Sunday 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.
“Also earlier recovered is a Toyota Camry car the suspects had carted away upon the kidnapping of the victims. Further discreet investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Uzuegbu, who said the task of effectively policing the society is daily becoming daunting, however said he had since his assumption of duty, ensured that the right policing strategies are devised to tackle existing and emerging security challenges in the State.
“These strategies are subsumed in my grassroots-driven, proactive, people-oriented and problem-solving policing thrust, which is in line with the policing Vision and Mission of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.
“In view of this, I have met and interacted with critical security stakeholders, including local government chairmen, traditional rulers, heads of other security agencies and many others, on the best ways to collectively tackle security challenges in the State. These engagements I must tell you have started paying off, as we are making remarkable progress in tackling violent crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and the criminal activities of subversive criminals.
“It is a known fact that it is humanly impossible to totally eliminate crimes in human society. However, I 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."