Police operatives kill 27 Kidnappers in coordinated attacks by Security forces

In a series of coordinated security operations across Enugu State over the past two weeks, at least 27 kidnappers, including members of the notorious Auto Pilot faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have been neutralised in shootouts with law enforcement.

The faction, known as Auto Pilot, is loyal to Finland-based fugitive Simon Ekpa and has been terrorizing Enugu and its surrounding areas.

A police detective involved in the operations confirmed the success of the missions, which have significantly disrupted criminal activities in the state.

In response to the ongoing security challenges, residents of Enugu have called on the state governor to take decisive action by invoking the provisions of the state’s criminal code. They are urging the demolition of properties used by kidnappers and other criminals as hideouts, believing such measures would deter future criminal activities.

One notable success came on Wednesday morning when a joint security team, led by Police Superintendent Onochie Ezeh, conducted a rescue operation on the Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road.

The operation led to the elimination of a seven-man kidnapping gang in Ogbeke Nike, where the criminals had been using a large poultry farm to conceal their hostages.

SP Ezeh highlighted that this successful operation is part of a broader, ongoing effort to rid Enugu State of criminals who often operate from neighboring states.

The intensified crackdown aims to address the rising incidents of kidnapping, attacks by unknown gunmen, and other criminal activities, restoring peace and safety to the region.

“We were on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months now. They had been operating within this axis where they kidnapped their victims and kept them at a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike until ransoms are paid.

“So, on a tipoff from members of the public who suspected the strange movements in the area and the accounts of some of the victims of these criminals, we swung into action. On sighting us, these men of the underworld opened fire on my men, and we quickly retaliated and overpowered them with our superior firepower.”

“This is a gallant crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of threat in the state. We have recorded huge successes over the past months. You know our role is not to rush to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

“I can tell you that we have already neutralized over 7 criminal gangs who were mostly kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the battle to their doorsteps because the governor said we should not come back home if we don’t completely rid the state of threats.

“So we are on it. In fact, during our operations, we identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue premises where kidnap victims and dangerous weapons are kept.

“These places include New Artisan Market, Akwuke community, Akegbe-Ugwu, Four Corners, Awgu, Mgbowo, Emene, Eke and Afa in Udi and some parts of Isi Uzo local government. During rescue operations, we were able to neutralize over 30 of the kidnappers and recovered guns and valuables.”

Residents of the state have urged Governor Mbah to take stronger action against kidnappers by not only arresting and pursuing them but also using his authority as the state’s chief security officer to demolish properties harboring these criminals.

They pointed out that the law grants the state government the power to demolish buildings used for kidnapping activities, including hotels and private facilities.

Chief Ani Iheanacho, a senior lawyer, highlighted this legal provision during a conversation with journalists in Enugu. He explained that the state’s criminal law, amended in 2016, includes a section that specifically empowers the governor to demolish structures used for kidnapping.

He said: “We cannot continue like this. Yes, beyond going after the criminals, the governor must show both political and legal courage to go after properties used as hostage holding cells and bring them down irrespective of who the owner or owners are.

“The state must deter these criminals and those enabling their access to such buildings. That is what justice is all about. It’s justice to the kidnap victims; justice to the family of the victims, and justice to the society at large.”

One of the rescued kidnap survivors, Dr Kate Pamela, said: “Each time I pass through that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice by still allowing it to operate. They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days.

“They even killed two of the victims because their families could only afford ten million naira each against the fifty million naira demanded.

“Notwithstanding that I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel that the area should be cleared.

“Government must ensure justice by turning that place to a landfill.”