This comes as operatives of Enugu police command foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued 12 victims which it said was made possible with the help of timely information and collaboration with local residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has appealed for more support and collaborations to tackle insecurity in Enugu State.
This comes as operatives of Enugu police command foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued 12 victims which it said was made possible with the help of timely information and collaboration with local residents.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the spokesman for the state police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe on Thursday night.
Ndukwe said on September 21, 2022, the operatives of the command attached to Unity Division, responded to a distress call at 7.10 pm.
He said some suspected kidnappers had blocked the road between Ekwegbe-Agu and Neke-Uno communities respectively in Enugu East and Igbo-Etiti local government areas, along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Highway, but the police foiled the attempt by the unidentified hoodlums to kidnap some road users after a gun duel.
"The operatives thereafter rescued two male victims that the criminals were on the verge of kidnapping, and also recovered their vehicles,” he said.
"Similarly, police operatives serving in 9th Mile Police Division of the Command, with assistance from Neighborhood Watch Group, Forest Guard and law-abiding citizens, on 16/09/2022 at about 5.30 pm rescued in a forest at Okpatu community in Udi LGA, four kidnapped victims at Umulumgbe community in the same local government on 15/09/2022 at about 4 pm."
The command's spokesman noted that the operatives also rescued six kidnapped victims in the forest on September 14 at about 4.15 pm.
He said the kidnap victims were abducted two days earlier at Awhum community in the Udi council area and taken to the forest, adding that the victims had since reunited with their families.
Although, SaharaReporters could not independently verify whether any money was paid as ransom for those kidnapped as the police statement was silent on that.
However, the state police commissioner, CP Ahmed Ammani, according to the statement, has directed the immediate deployment of more intelligence/operational resources to further contain emerging incidents of abduction in some parts of the state, particularly along Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road.
This the command's spokesman said would ensure the security and safety of innocent citizens, especially along major roads in the state.
He quoted the commissioner to have solicited the support of citizens through the prompt provision of credible information and/or intelligence at the nearest police station or by calling the command's emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075390883 and 08086671202. The police command said residents can alternatively send emails to [email protected] or call the police spokesperson on 08099854883.
He also assured that reports and information provided by residents would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.