The Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command, says it arrested 5,895 suspects for various criminal offences and rescued 168 kidnapped victims within the past one year as part of intensified efforts to tackle crime in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the State Command Headquarters in GRA, Enugu, to mark one year of his stewardship since assuming office on March 11, 2025.
CP Giwa said since assuming office, the command has focused on building a policing system that is professional, proactive and people-friendly, stressing that discipline and accountability remain central to the Command’s operations.
According to him, officers who violate the ethical standards of the Force have faced appropriate disciplinary actions, as the Command continues to enforce professionalism in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
He noted that the Command has adopted proactive and intelligence-driven policing strategies, which have contributed to a noticeable reduction in violent crimes across the state.
Major Operations Against Kidnapping
Highlighting recent operations, the police boss said operatives, working with the military, Forest Guards, and neighbourhood security groups, rescued twelve kidnapped victims on March 6, 2026, during an operation in Efeche Forest in Ette Community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
He said three suspects linked to the abduction were later arrested in follow-up operations after being identified by the rescued victims.
Items recovered during the operation included a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated revolver, live cartridges, bulletproof jackets, and other materials believed to have been used by the kidnappers while hiding in the forest.
In another operation on February 27, 2026, police operatives attached to the Unity Division arrested five suspects along the Ugwuogo–Opi–Nsukka Road in Enugu East Local Government Area for alleged involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery. Weapons recovered included a locally fabricated revolver, cutlass and daggers.
Similarly, on January 29, 2026, police operatives in collaboration with soldiers and local security groups rescued a kidnapped clergyman during a bush-combing operation around forests bordering Benue State. One suspect was neutralized during a gun duel, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. An AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other exhibits were recovered.
Another kidnapping attempt was foiled on January 18, 2026, along the Adani–Nsukka Road, where one suspect was neutralized and an AK-47 rifle recovered.
Overall, the Command recorded 129 arrests linked to kidnapping within the past year.
Arrests in Rape and Defilement Cases
CP Giwa also revealed that 39 suspects were arrested for rape and defilement during the period under review.
Among the cases cited was the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect accused of breaking into a residence through the ceiling and allegedly raping a woman in Alulu-Nike area of Enugu.
In another case, a 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly defiling and impregnating his 12-year-old ward in Mmaku community of Awgu Local Government Area.
Police also arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with alleged incest involving his teenage daughters after one of the victims reported the abuse to authorities.
The suspects, according to the Commissioner, will be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.
Cultism and Drug Trafficking Crackdown
The Command also intensified operations against cultism and drug trafficking, leading to the arrest of 210 suspects linked to cult activities and illicit drug distribution.
In one of the operations, police disrupted a cult initiation ceremony involving members of the Black Axe confraternity in a forest near Nsukka, arresting 13 suspects.
Items recovered included firearms, expended cartridges, vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones and other materials used during the initiation process.
Police also recovered large quantities of illicit substances such as cannabis sativa, tramadol and methamphetamine, while continuing collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to combat drug trafficking.
Overall Crime Statistics
Providing a breakdown of arrests recorded within the past year, the police commissioner said: 148 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 129 suspects for kidnapping, 158 suspects for murder
48 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, 39 suspects for rape or defilement
210 suspects for cultism and drug-related offences, 5,163 suspects for other offences including theft, fraud, vandalism and human trafficking.
In addition, the Command recovered 105 firearms, including 22 AK-47 rifles, as well as 665 rounds of ammunition and 118 stolen or abandoned vehicles.
Criminal Prosecution
CP Giwa said the Command has also strengthened its prosecution efforts.
Within the past year, 1,248 criminal cases were charged to court, 237 convictions were secured while 368 cases remained under investigation
CP Giwa commended the support of the Enugu State Government led by Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, security agencies, local vigilante groups and residents who provided intelligence that aided police operations.
He reassured residents that the Command remains committed to sustaining peace and security across the state.
The police commissioner also urged community leaders, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and the media to continue supporting security agencies in maintaining law and order.
According to him, collective cooperation remains essential to ensuring a peaceful and secure Enugu State.
