G¥nfight In Enugu As Police K!ll Two Suspected K!dnappers, Seize AK-47, Ammun!tion

The command said operatives attached to the Trans-Ekulu Division, working alongside members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, swiftly mobilised to the area and confronted the suspects.

The Enugu State Police Command has said its operatives foiled a kidnapping attempt and killed two suspected criminals during separate operations across the state, recovering an AK-47 rifle, other firearms, ammunition and other exhibits.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, who said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to combat violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery, in the state.

According to the police, the first incident occurred on May 30, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., following intelligence that a gang of about five armed men was attempting to abduct a resident along the Nowas–Abakpa Road axis in Enugu.

The command said operatives attached to the Trans-Ekulu Division, working alongside members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, swiftly mobilised to the area and confronted the suspects.

weapons rcovered

“The suspects opened fire on the operatives, who responded with precision and fatally immobilised one of them, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement said.

The police added that the injured suspect was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.

Items recovered from the suspect included an AK-47 rifle, two magazines loaded with 30 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition and two mobile phones.

The command further disclosed that follow-up intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol allegedly linked to the same criminal gang.

In a separate operation later the same day, police operatives responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery attack at a residence in Owo Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the armed robbers had invaded the home of a male resident and were dispossessing him of his belongings when security operatives arrived at the scene.

Police operatives attached to the Amechi-Idodo Division, supported by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, engaged the suspects in a gun battle after they reportedly came under attack.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the criminal suspects opened fire on the team. The operatives responded and neutralised one of the suspects, while others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement added.

The police recovered a locally fabricated double-barrelled pistol loaded with one live cartridge from the deceased suspect.

The command said efforts had been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into both incidents were ongoing.

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group for what he described as their bravery, professionalism and swift response.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

The latest operations come amid growing concerns over kidnappings and violent crimes in parts of Enugu State and the wider South-East region, where security agencies have stepped up intelligence gathering and joint operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks responsible for abductions, armed robbery and other violent offences.