The Enugu State Police Command says it has successfully disrupted a kidnapping operation and neutralised two suspected criminals during separate security encounters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, it was disclosed that officers recovered several weapons and items, including an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, locally fabricated double-barrelled guns, two magazines containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a live cartridge, and mobile phones.
The incident occurred on May 30 at about 8:30 p.m. when a group of about five armed men attempted to abduct a target along the Nowas–Abakpa Road in Enugu.
Police operatives from the Trans-Ekulu Division, working alongside members of the Neighbourhood Watch, quickly responded and engaged the suspects in a gun battle after the criminals opened fire.
One of the suspects was fatally wounded during the exchange and later confirmed dead at a hospital, while others fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. From the neutralised suspect, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a double magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, and two mobile phones.
Subsequent intelligence-driven operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol believed to be linked to the same gang.
In a separate incident the same night at about 9:19 p.m., another armed group invaded a residence in Owo community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, where they robbed a victim of his belongings.
Operatives from the Amechi-Idodo Division, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch members, swiftly moved to the scene and confronted the attackers. The suspects again opened fire, prompting a response from the security team, which resulted in the death of one of the attackers, while others escaped with injuries.
A locally made double-barrelled pistol loaded with a live cartridge was recovered from the second neutralised suspect.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing gang members and recover additional weapons, while investigations into both incidents continue.