The Enugu State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested a total of 5,895 suspects for various crimes and rescued 168 kidnapped victims across the state within the past year.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Enugu to mark his one year in office.

Giwa, who assumed duty on March 11, 2025, said the Command recorded these achievements through proactive and intelligence-led policing while maintaining discipline and professionalism among officers.

According to him, the Command made significant progress in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, murder, and illicit drug trafficking.

He said, “Since assuming duty exactly one year ago, precisely on March 11, 2025, I pledged to entrench a policing system that is professional, proactive, and people-friendly. These principles have since guided my leadership approach and shaped the strategic direction of the Command in delivering on our mandate.

“Over the past year, we have made proactive policing the main thrust of our crime-fighting strategy. While a few isolated incidents may have occurred beyond our preventive control, we have consistently responded with swift and effective remedial actions. Our success stories in this regard are numerous and reflect the relative calm and serenity currently enjoyed in Enugu State.”

Providing a breakdown of arrests made within the period, the commissioner said 148 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 129 for kidnapping, 158 for murder, 48 for unlawful possession of firearms, and 39 for rape or defilement.

He added that 210 suspects were arrested for cultism and illicit drug-related offences, while 5,163 others were arrested for offences including stealing, vandalism, human trafficking, fraud, and house-breaking.

Giwa stated, “Overall, one hundred and twenty-nine suspects were arrested for kidnapping within the past year, while one hundred and sixty-eight abducted victims were successfully rescued.

“On the whole, five thousand, eight hundred and ninety-five suspects were arrested in the past year for various criminal offences across the state.”

The police commissioner also said the Command recovered 105 firearms, including 22 AK-47 rifles and one G-3 automatic rifle, as well as 665 rounds of live ammunition.

According to him, 118 stolen or abandoned vehicles were also recovered during operations carried out across the state.

Highlighting some recent operations, Giwa said police operatives, working with the military, forest guards, and neighbourhood watch groups, rescued 12 kidnapped victims on March 6, 2026, from Efeche Forest in Ette community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

Police later arrested three suspects during follow-up operations and recovered firearms and other items.

He also revealed that operatives recently disrupted a cult initiation ceremony linked to the Black Axe confraternity, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects and the recovery of weapons, vehicles, motorcycles, and communication devices.

The CP said, “Following credible intelligence, operatives stormed the forest where the initiation was taking place and disrupted the process. Thirteen suspects were arrested, including some bearing fresh marks indicating they had just been initiated into the cult group.

“Exhibits recovered include locally fabricated firearms, cartridges, vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and other items. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be arraigned in court.”

Giwa further disclosed that 1,248 criminal cases were prosecuted within the period, out of which 237 secured convictions, while 368 cases are still under investigation.

He assured residents that the Command remained committed to tackling security challenges in the state.

“I wish to reassure the good people of Enugu State that my commitment to frontally tackle security challenges in the state remains unwavering. I therefore call on residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, and the media to continue supporting the police in making Enugu State peaceful and safe for all,” he said.

The commissioner also appreciated the support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Governor Peter Mbah, sister security agencies, and residents of the state for providing intelligence that aided police operations. (The Nation)