Police Rescue Four Kidnap Victims In Enugu, Intensify Manhunt
05th August, 2026 | News
Police Rescue Four Kidnap Victims, Recover One Body in Enugu-Benue Operations
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued four kidnapped victims during separate coordinated operations in Enugu and neighbouring Benue State, while recovering the body of another victim who was allegedly killed by his abductors.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the operations were intelligence-driven and carried out jointly by police operatives, the Nigerian Army, the Enugu State Forest Guards, neighbourhood watch personnel, vigilante groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
In one operation, security personnel rescued two brothers who were abducted at Ezimo-Ulo in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked the kidnappers to a hideout in Ikele, Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
A gun battle ensued, forcing the kidnappers to flee with suspected gunshot wounds, while the victims were rescued unharmed. During the operation, security operatives recovered 15 rounds of live ammunition, the victims’ Android phones and car keys, additional mobile phones and accessories, a bottle containing substances suspected to be hard drugs and related paraphernalia, clothing items, and ₦11,800 from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The rescued victims were later debriefed and reunited with their family.
In another operation, officers attached to the Umabor Police Division, working alongside the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Enugu State Forest Guards and neighbourhood watch personnel, rescued two additional kidnap victims who had been abducted in Amukpa Village, Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area.
Sadly, another victim did not survive the ordeal. His decomposing body was recovered from a nearby forest, with investigators believing he died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the kidnappers while in captivity.
Police said investigations are ongoing, while security operatives have intensified efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects involved in both incidents.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed all tactical and intelligence units to sustain the manhunt, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid ongoing security operations.