The Enugu State Police Command has rescued three people allegedly abducted by armed men and recovered their vehicle, firearms and other items linked to the incident.
The victims were rescued by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit with assistance from members of the Neighbourhood Watch and residents.
The command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Ndukwe said the police received intelligence around 1:30am on August 18 concerning the alleged carjacking and abduction of occupants of a Lexus RX350 in the Independence Layout area of Enugu.
He said operatives immediately began pursuing the suspects after receiving the report.
“Acting swiftly, the operatives commenced a hot pursuit of the suspects, which continued to Hillview Road, Independence Layout,” Ndukwe said.
According to him, the suspects abandoned the Lexus and firearms when they reached the area and fled on foot.
He said the three victims were subsequently found unharmed and taken to safety with the assistance of neighbourhood watch personnel and members of the community.
Items recovered at the scene included the victims’ Lexus RX350, a locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size firearm and another live cartridge.
The police also recovered a pair of gloves, a ski mask and a mobile phone allegedly abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
Ndukwe said investigations had been intensified and a manhunt launched to identify and arrest those responsible for the crime.
“Investigation has been intensified, with a manhunt launched to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects, recover further exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the police operatives, neighbourhood watch members and residents who assisted in the rescue operation.
Giwa reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes.
The police commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.
