CITIZENS COMPASS —Enugu State Police Command has recorded giant strides since the new leadership of Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun assumed office on June 20, 2023.
This is going by the massive attacks on criminal hideouts, timely arrests, and swift investigation that is currently happening there, National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can reliably report.
These successful operations were led by the super-active, highly intelligent, and very disciplined Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Enugu state, DCP Akinbayo Olasoji. Noted for his tough stance against criminality and his special commitment to bringing a facelift to infrastructure in all the locations he has served, DCP Olasoji is dedicated to the policing ideals.
Since his assumption of office, it is observed that the entire Nigeria Police Force is taking cues from the IGP and is reinforcing peace and security across the country. Enugu state, among others, assuredly heaves a sigh of relief from acts that jeopardize economic growth and political stability.
Within the three months between June and September 2023 since IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, NAOSNP can reveal that the Police in Enugu state is decisively dealing and ruthlessly breaking the flow of crime in the state. There has been at least a score of major crackdowns on crimes and criminality by DCP Akinbayo Olasoji and his men. In descending order, the successful operations are listed thus:
Arrest of notorious armed robber/car snatcher: On 15th September, 2023 at about 0930hrs. Operatives tracked one Hillary Nwodo aka Sinbad m 25 years of No. 4B Okpatu Street Emene, who escaped to Anambra State after multiple car snatching/kidnapping. In an attempt to arrest the suspect, he pulled out a knife, stabbed Inspr. Ejike Onoh, suspect was maimed and arrested. He has made useful statement
Arrest of arson suspect: On 13th August, 2023 at about 1000hrs, following a tip off by one Ani Gerald Ejike m of Oruku, one Oluchi Okenwa m of Aguikpa Oruku alleged to be involved in a case of arson reported on 26th December, 2022 was arrested. SCID Enugu investigating.
Arrest of IPOB/ESN members: On on 12th September, 2023 at about 1145hrs, following intel received, one Odinakachukwu Emmanuel 34 years m of Amaebo in Amorji Nenwe, a member of the proscribed group IPOB/ESN was arrested. Recovered from him are Biafra currency notes and coins. Suspect confessed to being a member of ESN and participated in the killing of three (3) persons in Agbade in Nenwe on 9th September, 2023. SCID Enugu investigating.
Recovery of locally made pistol: On 12th September, 2023 at about 1600hrs, a team of Safer Highway operatives along Port-Harcourt Expressway while on Stop and Search intercepted two (2) suspects, (i) Chidera Onovo and (ii). Chukwubuilem Nwowere, with a locally made pistol, fabricated plastic for consuming methy aka Mkpurumiri and charms. SCID Enugu investigating.
Recovery of fire arm:- On 12th September, 2023 at about 0010hrs, following a confessional statement of Ozioma Ezekegbo, an armed Robbery suspect, one Ifeanyi Udeh who was keeping a locally made berretta pistol for him was arrested. Gun recovered. SCID Enugu investigating.
Arrest of robbers :- On 10th September, 2023, about 0330hrs, following a distress call that some hoodlums had blocked Ede-Oballa Nsukka road with logs of Wood, claiming to be security operatives, operatives of Umabor Division hastened to the scene and arrested two (2) of the hoodlums while others fled. Two pairs of hammers and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects. SCID Enugu investigating.
Communal clash over masqurade festival; On 28th August, 2023 at about 1115hrs, two patrol vehicles led by operatives, deployed to maintain law and order, during a Masquerade peaceful procession came under attack at about 1600hrs on 28/08/2023. The rival village laid ambush and attacked, in total disregard to the peace accord made the previous day at the Division. They fired gunshots, threw stones at the masquerade troupe, the security agencies, smashed the windscreen of Police Patrol Van, shot and wounded a yet to be identified man. One Ugwu Kenneth m who fired the gun was arrested. A Pump Action Gun with three (3) rounds of Live cartridges was recovered. Meanwhile, the situation is under control.
On 11th August, 2023 at about 0100hrs, armed youths from Oyofo and Awha Imezi villages in Ezeagu L.G.A., blocked the road, attacked each other. Four (4) persons were killed, five (5) motorcycles, one tricycle were burnt. Arrest has been made in both villages. Corpses evacuated to mortuary while the Police have taken full control of the area.
Recovery of arms/ammunition/arrest of suspect: On 27th August, 2023 at about 2100hrs, one Neighbourhood Watch member, Ede Maxwell m of Isu in Isi-Uzo L.G.A. reported that thieves burgled his shop and stole (3) Pump Action Guns belonging to the Neigbourhood Watch. Supol Isi-Uzo swung into action, arrested one Eze Chidiebere m of Igbo-Etiti, recovered, (i). Three Pump Action Guns (ii). Fifteen (15) Cartridges (iii). A Carter motorcycle with no Registration Number. One Odo Ifeanyi, his accomplice escaped, the suspect is suspected to be IPOB/ESN Member. Efforts in top gear to arrest the fleeing hoodlum. SCID Enugu investigating.
Arrest of suspected cultists/recovery of fire arms/live cartridges: On 27th August, 2023, acting on a petition written by Isikwe Achi Autonomous Community, arrested the following person (i). Christian Joshua m aged 26 years (ii). Okafor Obigwuchukwu m aged 32 years (iii). Chukwu Kelechi m aged 29 years (iv). Igboamalu Nnaedozie m aged 20 years (v). Kelechi Onyekezie m aged 29 years (vi). Okechukwu Okerekwe m aged 53 years. Items recovered are (i). One Pump Action Gun (ii). One automatic stainless (iii). One Manuel (iv). Three (3) live Cartridges
Raids of criminal hideouts::- On 27th August , 2023, about 0224hrs, following a confessional statement of Okafor Chukwuebuka a.k.a Smart under investigation, Police operatives stormed Amodu Awkunanaw arrested (i). Onyekachi Nwobodo m 20 years (ii). Nwobodo Uchechukwu m 30 years (iii). Nwatu Ifeanyi 20 years (iv). Samuel Nnamchi m 25 years (v). Blessing Nnachi f 30 years. Following items recovered (i). Quantity of dried weed suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (ii). Planted shrubs suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (iii). Nursery Shrubs suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. At about 0345hrs operatives stormed a criminal hideout at Ugwuomu Nike and arrested ten (10) suspects. Police operatives recovered some quantity of dried weed suspected to be Cannabis Sativa. Villagers of Ugwuomo in an attempt to resist the arrest block the road. Operatives relentlessly fought their way out.
On 20th August, 2023 at about 2330hrs, one Ike Nwede m of Umunko reported that on 20th August, 2023 at about 1900hrs, four (4) male members of his town left for Enugu in a Toyota Camry Car via Forest Road, the four (4) did not arrive at the destination, phones switched off, Supol Igbo-Etiti mobilized men in conjunction with Neighbourhood Watch, patrolled along the said road. The Victim’s vehicle was found abandoned along the road. One of the victims Mr. Ozoemena Nwodo was rescued from nearby bush at about 2359hrs. Information from him disclosed that some armed men attacked them on their way, they scattered into the forest in different directions. Search continues for possible rescue of the victims.
Rescue of six kidnapped victims : On 23rd August, 2023 at about 1630hrs, there was a kidnapping incident along Opi Ugwuogo Road by forest after the first Army Check Point from Opi, onme red Toyota Corolla vehicle, fortunately, the Commissioner of Police Enugu, Deputy Commissioner of Police-Operations Enugu, on patrol in opposite direction, Nigerian Army personnel of 82 Division Garrison arrived timely, rescued six (6) of the victims while about four (4) others were alleged to have been kidnapped by the hoodlums. Meanwhile, a serious effort is ongoing in collaboration with the local hunters to track down the kidnappers.
On 20th August, 2023 at about 2330hrs, one Ike Nwede m of Umunko reported that on 20th August, 2023 at about 1900hrs, four (4) male members of his town left for Enugu in a Toyota Camry Car via Forest Road, the four (4) did not arrive at the destination, phones switched off, Supol Igbo-Etiti mobilized men in conjunction with Neighbourhood Watch, patrolled along the said road. The Victim’s vehicle was found abandoned along the road. One of the victims Mr. Ozoemena Nwodo was rescued from nearby bush at about 2359hrs. Information from him disclosed that some armed men attacked them on their way, they scattered into the forest in different directions. Search continues for possible rescue of the victims.
Death of armed robber: On 23rd August, 2023 at about 2035hrs, one Chika Chima m age 24yrs from Osisioma Aba, Abia State was arrested at Nowas junction Trans-Ekulu Enugu State. On their way to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad Office, the suspects and other gang members attacked the Police team, in the course of gun fire exchange, the suspects was fatally wounded. The following items were recovered from the scene (i). AK 47 Rifle Breach No. 0847 (ii). Four (4) rounds of AK 47 Live Ammunition. Suspect rushed to UNTH where he was confirmed dead. Corpse deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
On 24th August, 2023 at about 0230hrs,Surveillance Patrol arrested one James Akubue of No. 9 Ogbe Street Maryland, other at large while trying to rob one Charles Agu of Akpasha Akegbe Ugwu in Nkanu West L.G.A of his Toyota Car with Reg. No. LSR 904 GB, one locally made berretta pistol, Live Ammunition was recovered from the suspect. Medical form issued to the victim to go for treatment.
Arrest of suspected kidnappers:On 19th August, 2023 at about 2200hrs, information received from CSO Ugwuomu that three (3) suspected kidnappers have been arrested by some security men from Ugwuomu, irate youths beat up the suspected kidnappers. Police operatives, led by Supol Abakpa, Police Special Forces mobilized to the scene, on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the suspects have been massively beaten with various degrees of life threatening injuries. Suspects rescued, their names (i). Samson Eji from Adamawa State, age 25yrs (ii). Adul Gidah from Ginya in Adamawa State, age 25yrs (iii). Mohammed Robin from Minna Niger State, age 30yrs. Items recovered from suspects are (i). Motorcycle (ii). Four (4) phones (iii). Charms (iv). Raw Food items (v). Pictures.
On 20th August, 2023 at about 2000hrs, following a distress call that armed men at gun point kidnapped one Nwodo Chukwuebuka m 37yrs of age from Ugwowka Nkanu East L.G.A at Kilimanjaro Fast Food situated along Agbani Road near UBA. Operatives of the Command, led by DCP Operation- DCP. Akinbayo Olasoji, made up of Supol Awkunanaw and team, Crack Squad, Anti-Kidnapping, Flush, SWAT, Anti-Cult, IGP Special Forces in a swift reaction chased the hoodlums, who took different direction along with the victim to UNTH Ituku, turned back to Enugu, blocked at Centenary along Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway. During a gun battle one of the criminal elements was neutralized. Others escaped with various degree of bullet wounds. The victim, Nwodo Chukwuebuka rescued. The following items were recovered (i). A Lexus Jeep-black in colour with Reg. No. LSR 433 HP (ii). One locally made single barrel gun with three (3) Live Cartridges (iv). One Expended Cartridges. Meanwhile two hundred and thirty (230) of 7.62 AK 47 Ammunition were expended in the encounter. The fatally wounded hoodlum, deposited at UNTH Mortuary.
Murder/arrest of suspect: On 13th August, 2023 at about 0920hrs, one Ogechi Cosmas f of Amofia Village Awgu reported that on 10th August, 2023, her biological mother Anthonia Ile f of Onoli Awgu aged sixty-five (65) was attacked inside a bush while defecating by one Nwejim Mark Umeh f of about the same age range, who accused the victim of defecating on her land. An eye witness, a palm wine tapper, confirmed that the accused gave the late victim several fist blows on the face before grabbing her throat. Victim was rescued by the palm wine tapper, rushed to Saint Anns Hospital Awgu on 10th August, 2023 and on 13th August, 2023 at about 0200hrs, she died. Scene of crime visited, corpse deposited at General hospital Mortuary Awgu for autopsy.
