In the fight against kidnapping and criminal activities in Enugu State, security operatives have reportedly eliminated at least 27 kidnappers, including members of the notorious Auto Pilot faction, known as Unknown Gunmen, affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The operations, which took place over the past two weeks, were aimed at dismantling criminal networks that have terrorized the region.
Residents of Enugu have expressed their concerns and called on the state government to take decisive action, including demolishing properties used by kidnappers as hideouts. They argue that such measures would serve as a deterrent against future criminal activities.
The development was revealed during a recent operation at Ogbeke Nike, where a police superintendent, SP Onochie Ezeh, led a team to rescue kidnap victims. The operation resulted in a confrontation with a gang of seven kidnappers who had been using a large poultry farm to hold their captives.
SP Ezeh explained that the police had been tracking the kidnappers for over three months. They acted on tips from community members who reported suspicious activities in the area.
Upon their arrival, the kidnappers opened fire, but the security forces responded decisively, overpowering the gang with superior firepower. This operation is part of a broader initiative by the Enugu State government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, to combat kidnappings and the activities of Unknown Gunmen.
Ezeh revealed that the combined security task force had achieved significant milestones, successfully neutralizing multiple criminal gangs involved in kidnappings. “We are taking the battle to their doorsteps,” he stated, emphasizing the commitment to ensure peace and safety for all residents of the state.
He noted that the task force had identified several hideouts used for criminal activities across various locations, including New Artisan Market and Akwuke community, where kidnappers stored weapons and held victims.
In light of these developments, residents have urged Governor Mbah to leverage his powers as the chief security officer of the state to demolish properties associated with kidnapping.
Barr. Ani Iheanacho highlighted that the state’s criminal code, amended in 2016, grants the governor the authority to demolish structures used for such illicit activities.
He emphasized the need for the government to act boldly, stating that demolishing these buildings would serve justice to victims and deter criminals from using them in the future.
Among the rescued victims, Dr. Kate Pamela recounted her traumatic experience, having been held captive for five days in the poultry farm. She expressed deep frustration at the continued operation of the facility, saying, “Each time I pass through that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice.”
Dr. Pamela urged the government to take concrete steps to ensure such locations are repurposed, suggesting that the poultry farm should be transformed into a landfill to symbolize a break from the past.
