Police stop kidnapping attempt, kill two suspects

The police in Enugu State have stopped a kidnapping attempt and shot two suspects in different operations in the state.

This was shared in a statement by the police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu.

Mr Ndukwe, who is a superintendent of police, said they recovered three guns. These included an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, and locally-made double-barrelled guns. They also found two magazines with 30 rounds of 7.62mm bullets, one live cartridge, and some phones during the operations.

He said the police got a tip-off at about 8:30 p.m. on May 30 that a group of about five armed men was trying to kidnap someone along the Nowas, Abakpa Road in Enugu.

“Operatives from the Trans-Ekulu Division, along with members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, acted quickly and met the suspects, who started shooting at them.

“Our operatives shot back accurately and killed one of the suspects, while others ran away with different gunshot injuries.

“The suspect was taken to a hospital, where the doctor confirmed he had died.

“One AK-47 rifle, a double magazine with thirty rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, and two mobile phones were found with the dead suspect.

“More intelligence-led operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit led to finding a Beretta pistol linked to the gang.”

Mr Ndukwe mentioned that on the same day at about 9:19 p.m., the police got another report that armed robbers had attacked a house in Owo community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu.

He said the robbers were stealing from a male victim.

The spokesperson said that operatives from the Amechi-Idodo Division, with the help of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, quickly went to the scene and confronted the suspects.

When the suspects saw the operatives, they started shooting at them.

According to him, the operatives returned fire, killing one of the suspects, while others escaped with different gunshot injuries.

He added that they found one locally-made double-barrelled pistol loaded with one live cartridge with the dead suspect.

“Operational efforts have been stepped up to catch the suspects who ran away and to recover more evidence. Investigations into both cases are still ongoing,” he said.

He also quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Giwa, as praising the operatives and Neighbourhood Watch Group members for their courage, professionalism, and quick action.

The commissioner said the command is committed to protecting lives and property in the state. He encouraged citizens to keep sharing useful and timely information with security agencies to improve public safety.