A total of 195 suspects have been arrested by the Police Command in Enugu State, with 19 abducted individuals rescued over the course of a month.
During the operations carried out from the start of April to May 3, 10 AK-47 rifles, one sub-machine gun, 37 locally fabricated firearms, and various other weapons including 67 live ammunition of different calibres were seized by the police.
Aside from the firearms, law enforcement also recovered 78 live cartridges, 25 vehicles, 15 tricycles, and 25 motorcycles, among other items.
Addressing the media on Friday in Enugu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, disclosed these details.
Among the 195 suspects, 29 were apprehended for kidnapping, 28 for armed robbery, 25 for theft, seven for murder and culpable homicide, and 20 for unlawful possession of firearms.
Furthermore, four suspects were arrested for rape and defilement, 37 for involvement in cultism and related offenses, and 45 for vandalism and various other crimes.
Most of the suspects have already been presented in court and are currently being held in custodial centers, with ongoing investigations for the remainder, according to Uzuegbu.
Highlighting a particular case, Uzuegbu noted, “Interestingly, two male suspects implicated in a conspiracy and abduction have been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to three years in prison.”
The commissioner emphasized that Enugu State remains a relatively peaceful, secure, and safe environment for law-abiding citizens to conduct their lawful activities.
He urged all citizens, especially media practitioners and internet users, to exercise caution, objectivity, and accuracy when handling sensitive security issues.
“This caution is essential to prevent the spread of chaos, fear, and unnecessary tension among the unsuspecting public,” Uzuegbu cautioned.
He further warned that such actions could lead to potential violations of the law, particularly the Cybercrime Act, which carries legal consequences.