The rescued victim and her motorcycle
By Tony Adibe
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command said that they have swiftly rescued a kidnapped woman, neutralized one suspected kidnapper, and launched an aggressive manhunt for other fleeing gang members following an intelligence-guided operation at Okpuje in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.
In a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command said that the operation followed a quick response to a distress call received at about 10:10 a.m. on July 31, 2026, reporting that armed kidnappers emerged from a nearby forest and abducted a woman along Anuka Road, Okpuje, Nsukka LGA.
The PPRO explained that consequent upon the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Okpuje Division immediately mobilized Police Operatives, Forest Guards, and Neighbourhood Watch members, who tracked the suspects into Anuka area forest near the Enugu-Kogi State boundary.
He said that during the ensuing gun duel, one suspect was neutralized, while others fled with suspected gunshot injuries. “The victim was rescued unhurt, while her two children and motorcycle, left behind by the kidnappers at the scene, were also secured,” said Ndukwe in the press release.
According to him, the victim and her children have since been reunited with their family, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has commended the Police Operatives, Forest Guards, and Neighbourhood Watch members for their swift response and collaboration, Ndukwe said.
Ndukwe said that Giwa reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against violent crime and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible, timely information to the Police.
