By: Adeosun Ewatomi
Enugu state police Command says it arrested a total of 5,176 criminal suspects involved in various crimes in the last six months, just as it warned its operatives against all manner of corrupt practices, including extortion.
The state Commissioner of police CP, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the breakthrough recorded by the Command in the last six months he took over the mantle of leadership of the state.Exactly six months ago today, on 11th March 2025, I took over and assumed duty as the 29th Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command.2.
“over the past six months, we have adopted proactive policing as the main thrust of our crime-fighting strategy”
“While a few incidents may have occurred beyond our initial preventive control, we have consistently responded with swift and effective remedial action
“Breakdown of operational Successes and Notable Cases our proactive approach has yielded impressive results in combating serious crimes across the State”
“Within the six-month review period, we arrested a total of 5,176 suspects for various offences.
“Breakdown is as follows: 98 were suspects arrested for armed robbery, 87 for kidnapping, 50 for murder,16 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition,11 for rape or defilement,122 for cultism and related crimes, and 4,792 for other offences such as theft, vandalism, human trafficking, and burglar
“A total of 113 abducted or kidnapped victims were successfully rescued. We also recovered 105 firearms, including 8 AK-47 and 1 G-3 automatic rifles, 271 rounds of ammunition, and 71 vehicles used in, or recovered from, various criminal activities. Many other incriminating exhibits were also recovered during the operations.
“Among the most notable cases was the recent arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, Obodoagu Ikediekpere, and one other individual for the kidnapping and murder of his 5-year-old male second cousin, following thorough intelligence gathering and investigation.
“In another widely publicized case, the suspect, Obieze Levi, alias “E Dey Pray E Dey Show,” was arrested alongside two other accomplices and charged with kidnapping and ritual murder.
“Additionally, two sisters—Juliet Chukwu and Ngozi Nancy Chukwu—were apprehended, arraigned in court and remanded for kidnapping a kinsman and collecting a ransom of ₦10,000,000, which was fully recovered.
” Furthermore, several intra- and inter-state armed robbery, kidnapping, vehicle snatching, and theft syndicates have been successfully dismantled.
“These operations have led to the arrest of numerous suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the recovery of stolen or snatched vehicles.
“A recent case involved the arrest of four male suspects and the recovery of fifteen stolen vehicles. The criminal gang was responsible for multiple kidnappings of drivers, whom they abducted to unknown locations, forcibly withdrew funds from their accounts, and made away with their vehicles.
“The recovered vehicles were found in various states and locations, including Anambra and Rivers States, as well as Enugu and Nsukka.He hinted that “the same gang was behind the sporadic shooting and abduction of a male victim in his Mercedes Benz Jeep around 9:00 p.m. in May 2025 at the G.R.A., Enugu.
” Following my immediate directive, Tactical Teams were deployed to track and apprehend the criminals and rescue the victim.
“The operatives successfully rescued the victim, neutralized one of the gang members, while others escaped in the victim’s SUV, which was later recovered.