By Tony Adibe
In the attempt to stamp out criminal elements, the Police Command in Enugu State has arrested at least 53 suspected male criminals for various offences while recovering firearms, ammunition and other exhibits in the state.
The police recovered the following items which included: 28 firearms of assorted calibers, 30 live ammunition, 66 live cartridges, 25 vehicles and 16 motorcycles from the suspects arrested in various parts of the state.
Parading before journalists the criminal suspects on Tuesday in Enugu, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, said that the police operatives within the Command also rescued five kidnapped victims in the state. Uzuegbu noted that the state had remained relatively peaceful enough for all and sundry to go about their lawful businesses.
He said “this is not to mean that there are no pockets of crimes and criminality in the state, like every other state in the country and human society in general.”
According to the Commissioner, “It is on record that we have been able to drastically reduce incidences of kidnapping, particularly on some of our highways like the Opi/Nsukka and Ozalla/Udi Roads, which at some point were topical and challenging issues.
“Unfortunately, we have recently intercepted some social media reports suggesting that there are still high incidences of kidnapping in the state. Interestingly, after diligent analyses of the reports, most of which are basically unfounded and uncalled for.
“We realised that what the peddlers of the reports do is to exaggerate and blow cases of nighttime abduction and carjacking most of which are not recent occurrences, out of proportion; thereby making it appear as if there were real-time occurrences that one should be worried about.”
He explained that the Command had found out that some of the criminal activities, particularly that of abduction during night hours, are mostly committed by secret cult members.
Uzuegbu said that he had directed the officer in-charge of my Anti-Cultism Squad to put in more efforts and ensure that cult groups and their criminal activities are further reduced to the barest minimum.
He said: “In fact, I have the approval of Gov. Peter Mbah, to ruthlessly deal with and rid the state of unrepentant cultists and their criminal activities. We must ensure that this is carried out to the latter.
“However, let me categorically make it clear that we remain focused in ensuring a more secured and safer Enugu State, and shall not be distracted by such narratives. Especially now that the good and law-abiding people of the state are beginning to truly commend and appreciate our candid efforts in tackling crime situations in the state.”
The commissioner said that the “state is safe and peaceful enough for residents, visitors, and investors to carry out their businesses, adding that residents should continue to be law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report criminal activities to the nearest Police Station.
On the Christmas and New Year festivities being around the corner, Uzuegbu assured the residents especially those that would be coming back to celebrate the season with their loved ones, of adequate security.
He said: “I use this opportunity to once again thank Gov. Mbah for all the support his administration has been giving to the Police, and his commitment to enthrone a peaceful, safe, secured and economically prosperous Enugu State.
“I also wish to thank the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for his sound leadership style and guidance, which have made our policing duties less cumbersome and more productive in the state.
“I wish to appreciate other security agencies, the Neighbourhood Watch Group, Forest Guards and local vigilantes, as well as the law-abiding citizens for all their support and assistance, which have immensely contributed to our operational successes. I, therefore, urge them to remain supportive.”
