Metro

Police Rescue 21 Kidnap Victims, Neutralize One Suspect, Arrest Another In Enugu

Published

4 months ago

May 25, 2025

Police operatives in Enugu State rescued 21 kidnapped victims, neutralized one suspect, and arrested another during multiple coordinated operations across the state.

According to Vanguard, the operations also led to the recovery of a firearm, a vehicle, and other exhibits.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the breakthroughs were achieved through collaboration with local security outfits including the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, and local hunters.

“On May 23, 2025, operatives from Okpuje Division, working alongside local security groups, stormed a forest bordering Enugu and Kogi States. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt after a gun battle in which one suspect was neutralized. Others escaped with gunshot wounds. Several exhibits linked to the gang were recovered,” Ndukwe stated.

He added that on May 22, 2025, the Oji-River Police Area Commander led a joint operation into Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani LGA, where nine kidnap victims, abducted along the Olo-Umulokpa Road the day before, were rescued. The suspects fled after an exchange of gunfire, and the victims have since been safely reunited with their families.

That same day, operatives from 9th Mile Division swiftly responded to a distress call in Ekochin Layout, Udi LGA, and foiled an armed robbery. A cut-to-size single-barrel gun and an expended cartridge were recovered, though the suspects escaped. A manhunt is ongoing.

Ndukwe further noted that on May 21, police from Udenu Division, with support from local vigilante groups, rescued two men kidnapped five days earlier from Ezimo community, found in a forest at Amalla-Egazi.

Also on the same day, Uwani Division officers rescued a female victim and recovered her Toyota Sienna vehicle at Gariki, Awkunanaw. The suspects fled on sighting the operatives. The victim was safely reunited with her family.

In another operation on May 20, Awkunanaw Division operatives, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch, rescued a man who had been kidnapped and tied up in an uncompleted building in Akwuke-Awkunanaw, Enugu South LGA. The kidnappers had extorted ₦30,000 from the victim’s relatives before the police intervention. One male suspect was arrested; efforts are ongoing to track down his accomplices.

Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu Giwa, commended the officers, community members, and security partners for their collaboration. He directed all divisional heads and area commanders to sustain proactive and intelligence-led operations, while urging the public to continue providing credible information to aid security efforts.

Metro

18-year-old Hangs Self, Police Launch Investigation

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old identified as Tersoo Veregh, who allegedly took his own life in Makurdi, the state capital.

According to Zagazola Makama, the deceased’s father, Mr. Veregh Nathaniel, of Iorkyaako Street, High Level area of Makurdi, made the tragic discovery around 2:00 a.m. on October 4, when he stepped out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the ceiling.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene. The body was photographed and later taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Police authorities said an investigation has commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Metro

Police Intercept Illicit Drugs, Recover Pistols In Delta

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has intercepted a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected illicit drugs.

The truck, with registration number 3BGT 18LG, driven by one Dennis Uruma, a 52-year-old man from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, was intercepted by a patrol team of the Eagle Net Special Squad, Asaba, led by Commander SP Danyaya Yunusa.

The operation was conducted in synergy with the Office of the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Illicit Drugs and Human Trafficking.

The driver was arrested after the search, while the counting and measurement of the exhibits are ongoing.

In another development, on October 3, 2025, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, led by Commander CSP Nosa Alex, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout around the Basket Market area of Asaba.

During the operation, three suspects, Rabbi Godwin, 25, Lucky Nanakumo, 20, and David Igwe, 19, were arrested.

A search of the location yielded one fabricated Beretta pistol, which was recovered and secured as evidence.

Again, on October 1, 2025, the DPO ‘B’ Division, Asaba, CSP Edewor Akponegware, led his surveillance team in a swift response to a distress report about a robbery incident around the BONSAAC axis of Asaba, where a female victim was dispossessed of her phone and other valuables at gunpoint by two male suspects.

Working with local vigilantes, the team established a discreet cordon and began a methodical sweep of adjoining streets.

The coordinated push paid off when officers intercepted one suspect, Amara Nwako, 21, a male indigene of Oko, while his accomplice fled into an uncompleted building.

A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of the immediate vicinity. Preliminary findings revealed a possible cult affiliation linking the suspect to a certain Arobaga secret cult.

According to Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, all the suspects remain in custody, while a manhunt is underway for the fleeing accomplice.

(DAILY POST)

Metro

NDLEA Intercepts 174 Parcels Of Cocaine Hidden In Body Cream Containers

Published

9 hours ago

October 5, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine concealed in body cream containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

This operation, which was part of its efforts to dismantle two major drug cartels, led to six separate cocaine shipments destined for the UK. On September 16, NDLEA operatives seized 13.4 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in cocoa butter containers.

A cargo agent was arrested, directing investigators to 56-year-old Hammed Taofeek Ode, identified as the syndicate leader.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, the NDLEA coordinated with police to apprehend Ode, who had spent over 27 years in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought at over N150 million. He described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, ” the statement reads.

In another development, five attempts by a different cartel to export cocaine to the UK were thwarted between September 26 and October 2. On September 26, the NDLEA intercepted 2.1 kg of cocaine hidden in hair cream containers at MMIA, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede. An additional 1.4 kg of cocaine was recovered from his location.

On October 2, two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after two UK-bound shipments were seized. In other states, including Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Edo, and Kogi, several suspects were also arrested with varying amounts of tramadol and cannabis.