Security operatives have gunned down more than 30 kidnappers, including members of the Biafra Auto Pilot, a breakaway faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Finland-based fugitive, Mr Simon Ekpa. The successful operation was confirmed in a statement released by the media office of Governor Peter Mbah.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The statement, quoting Police Superintendent Onochie Ezeh, revealed that a joint security task force led by SP Ezeh has been intensifying efforts to eradicate kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.
One of the operations took place early Wednesday on the Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road, where a seven-member gang was neutralized. These kidnappers had been using a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike as a hideout to keep their hostages until ransoms were paid.
SP Ezeh explained that this operation was part of a larger, sustained effort to flush out criminals who had been operating from various hideouts across the state.
“We were on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months. On receiving a tipoff about suspicious activities in the area and accounts from former victims, we moved in. Upon sighting us, the kidnappers opened fire, and we responded with superior firepower, successfully overpowering them,” he said.
The security task force, established by Governor Peter Mbah as a tactical unit against kidnappings and the activities of unknown gunmen, has achieved significant success.
SP Ezeh noted that the squad had killed over seven criminal gangs in recent months. He stressed that the task force is committed to eliminating all threats in the state, and their operations have led to the identification and destruction of several criminal hideouts, including locations in New Artisan Market, Akwuke, Akegbe-Ugwu, and other areas.
Among the survivors of the recent rescue operations was Dr. Kate Pamela, who recounted her traumatic experience at the hands of the kidnappers.
She expressed her frustration, noting that the poultry farm used by the kidnappers should be demolished to ensure justice.
“They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families couldn’t meet the ransom demands. I feel that the area should be cleared, and the government must turn that place into a landfill to ensure justice,” Dr. Pamela urged.
The successful operations by the Enugu State security forces represent a significant step in restoring peace and safety to the region.
The government has reiterated its commitment to continuing the fight against crime and ensuring the protection of all citizens and residents in the state.
