ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Joint security operatives in Enugu State have foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Adani-Nsukka Road, neutralising one suspect and recovering an AK-47 rifle during an early-morning operation.
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command attached to the Adani Division, working alongside members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel at the Ngene-Ukwu axis of the highway at about 6:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026.
According to a press statement made available by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Monday, police sources said the confrontation followed credible intelligence.
It added that one of the armed suspects was neutralised during the exchange, while an AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of live ammunition was recovered at the scene. Other members of the gang reportedly fled into the surrounding forest with gunshot injuries.
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Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had emerged from a nearby bush and were lying in wait to abduct occupants of a vehicle travelling along the route when they encountered the joint patrol team.
According to the police, the armed gang opened fire on sighting the operatives, who responded swiftly, overpowering the suspects and forcing them to retreat after one of their members was hit.
Security agencies have since intensified efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, as well as dismantle the broader criminal network behind the attempted kidnapping.
Residents of the area, particularly healthcare workers and community leaders, have been urged to report anyone presenting with gunshot wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station or security post.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised the bravery and professionalism of the joint team, reassuring residents of the Command’s determination to eliminate violent crime across the state.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that criminal elements would find no hiding place in Enugu State.