Enugu CP Giwa
Protocol…
OPENING REMARKS
It is with great delight that I welcome you all to this inaugural press briefing, being my first since assuming office as Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, on 11th March 2025.
Upon my resumption, I communicated my policing vision and mission to the good people of Enugu State through a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), which is to establish a professional, proactive, and people-friendly policing system in the state.
COMMITMENT TO DISCIPLINE AND PROFESSIONALISM
To actualize this vision, I have convened meetings with my management team, area commanders, heads of tactical and operational units, and sectional heads. I made it unequivocally clear that unprofessional conduct, corruption, extortion, harassment, or intimidation of citizens will not be tolerated under my watch.
Any officer found culpable will face severe disciplinary action.
Specifically, I have directed that extortion of citizens before case documentation and handling must cease immediately and that officers must refrain from meddling in civil matters, particularly land disputes, and instead explore alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and restorative justice where applicable.
I further warned them against unlawful arrest and prolonged detention without recourse to extant laws.
I also emphasized the need for police officers to be emotionally intelligent and to put a human face to their work, while coming down hard on unrepentant criminals and violators of our laws.
ADDRESSING PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
Recently, the Command received a complaint via X (formerly Twitter) alleging the extortion of two hundred and fifty thousand naira (₦250,000.00) by police officers attached to the Distress Response Squad (DRS).
I immediately directed that the case be investigated and that the officers involved be tried in an Orderly Room proceeding.
Once the trial process is concluded and the necessary approval is obtained from the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 13, since one of the team members holds the rank of Inspector, the public will be duly informed of the punishment imposed.
I have also ensured the redeployment of several supervisory officers and their subordinates who have conducted themselves unprofessionally to serve as a deterrent to others.
I assure the public that I will spare no effort in instilling discipline within the Command and in upholding the ethics and codes that guide the activities of the Nigeria Police Force as a disciplined institution. However, I seek the continued cooperation and support of all citizens in this regard.
PROACTIVE POLICING AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
To enhance security, we are leveraging the state-of-the-art Command-and-Control Centre and Distress Response Squad (DRS) established by the Enugu State Government under His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
These initiatives, equipped with modern technology, will be maximally utilized for effective policing.
So far, we have started reaping the expected fruits of these initiatives in our operations.
Additionally, we are revitalizing community policing strategies to foster a people-centered approach.
Recently, I hosted a town hall meeting with key security stakeholders in commemoration of National Police Day, where we addressed concerns and gathered valuable feedback. Such engagements will continue to be held periodically to strengthen police-public relations.
Furthermore, I have mandated my Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to fully implement community policing strategies within their areas of responsibility.
I also charged them to, by all legitimate means, engage the Neighbourhood Watch Group, Forest Guards, local hunters, and other credible members of their communities to achieve the expected policing results.
SECURITY SITUATION IN ENUGU STATE
Enugu State remains largely peaceful, though we face isolated security challenges, including Herder-farmer-induced crimes in some parts of the State, and occasional cases of kidnapping and armed robbery.
However, we have implemented robust measures to curb these crimes and ensure the security and safety of all residents.
Unfortunately, we have continued to come across sensational and misleading media reports about security incidents, including some that never occurred in Enugu State.
We recognize the strength and importance of the media, especially social media, in disseminating information in this digital age.
However, the timing, purpose, and method of reporting security incidents must be carefully scrutinized to avoid causing unnecessary panic and creating false impressions in the minds of unsuspecting citizens through misleading or false reports.
Fake news is real, and its negative impact on people’s lives and mental well-being cannot be overemphasized.
Therefore, I urge those responsible for creating and spreading fake news, especially on social media, to stop forthwith. Such actions have serious legal consequences, and we will not hesitate to pursue them against anyone found culpable.
I encourage all journalists, including citizen journalists and netizens in Enugu State, to engage in responsible media practices. Please verify information before posting or sharing any security-related content, particularly on social media.
Your support and cooperation are crucial as we continue to intensify our efforts to combat emerging crimes in the State.
OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Since I assumed duty, we have conducted multiple successful operations, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of incriminating exhibits. A detailed breakdown will be provided shortly.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My sincere gratitude goes to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his unwavering support and leadership.
I also most profoundly appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for providing cutting-edge security infrastructure and logistics.
To the good people and security stakeholders of Enugu State, I say thank you for your continued support, without which effective policing would be impossible.
Members of the press, I also thank you all for your vital role in investigative journalism. I urge you to maintain objectivity, accuracy, and balance, resisting sensationalism and indiscriminate use of social media in security reporting.
PRESENTATION OF OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
At this juncture, I will present a summary of our operational achievements, along with key details of some of the operations. The cases involve suspects arrested for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and defilement, child trafficking, stealing, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, vandalism, cultism, drug trafficking, and other related crimes.
Note that many of the cases have been charged to court and the suspects involved remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centres.
Others will similarly be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE CASES
1. KIDNAPPING CASES
a) Rescue of a Kidnapped Couple and Arrest of Suspects
Acting on credible information, police operatives from the Umumba Division, with active support from law-abiding citizens, rescued a kidnapped husband and wife on May 6, 2025, at about 5:35 p.m. The victims were rescued in a forest in the Obinofia-Ndiuno community, Ezeagu LGA. The citizen-assisted operation also led to the arrest of two male suspects: Aliyu Ibrahim, aged 28, and Isah Isiahu, aged 23.
The suspects and other accomplices at large had kidnapped the victims in the same community on May 5, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m. They initially demanded a ransom of ten million naira (₦10,000,000), which was later negotiated down to five million naira (₦5,000,000).
However, the suspects were apprehended, and the victims were rescued without any ransom being paid. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices.
b) Case of Kidnapping, Rescue of Victim, Neutralisation of a Suspect, and Recovery of Firearm, Ammunition, and Suspects’ Operational Vehicle
Details of this operational success were previously made public through a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer on May 4, 2025. As earlier reported, a male victim kidnapped within the GRA axis of Enugu was rescued unhurt. One of the suspects was neutralised during a gun duel, and a locally made double-barreled gun loaded with two live cartridges was recovered. It is important to further inform the public that concerted efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang and recover other exhibits.
c) Case of Foiled Kidnapping, Rescue of Victim, Arrest of Suspect, and Recovery of Victim’s Snatched Vehicle
Acting on credible intelligence regarding a kidnapping and vehicle snatching incident in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, on April 18, 2025, at about 7:30 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad promptly launched a rescue and manhunt operation.
The suspects abandoned the victim, who was promptly rescued, but they fled with his black Toyota vehicle.
Following my directive to ensure the suspects were apprehended and the vehicle recovered, the operatives intensified intelligence efforts and collaborated with the Rivers State Command to arrest one of the male suspects, Uche Chioma Charles, aged 45, and recovered the snatched vehicle. The suspect is assisting with ongoing investigations to arrest his accomplices.
d) Case of Arrest of a Confessed Kidnapping Suspect
On April 11, 2025, at about 4:00 p.m., a joint team comprising Police, Military, Neighbourhood Watch, and Forest Guard personnel arrested a 32-year-old male suspect, Umaru Buba, during a routine bush-combing operation in a forest at Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo LGA.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a kidnapping gang responsible for the abduction of a young man in Eha-Amufu in February 2025. He is assisting the Police in ongoing efforts to arrest his accomplices.
e) Case of Kidnapping, Rescue of Female Victim Held Captive for Almost One Year, and Arrest of Suspect
Relying on intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Octopus Tactical Squad, on April 8, 2025, at about 7:30 p.m., rescued a 17-year-old female victim (name withheld), kidnapped since August 6, 2024. The operation also led to the arrest of a 45-year-old male suspect involved in the crime, one Chijioke Paul Ugwu, of Agu-Orie Amodu, Nkanu West LGA.
The suspect and his gang had initially attempted to kidnap the victim’s guardian but abducted the victim instead due to the guardian’s age and ill health. They collected a ransom of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (₦750,000.00) without releasing the victim until her rescue. The suspect confessed to the crime and is assisting with ongoing investigations.
f) Case of Arrest of a Kidnapping Suspect
On April 2, 2025, acting on intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested a male suspect, Adamu Lawal, aged 30, in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. The suspect confessed to being part of a kidnapping gang that operated along Ugwogo/Opi/Nsukka Road, Okpatu/Umulumgbe Road, and behind Adoration Ground, Emene. He is assisting ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending his gang members and recovering exhibits.
g) Another Case of Conspiracy, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Arrest of Suspects, and Recovery of Firearms, Ammunition, and Other Exhibits
On April 3, 2025, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested the following male suspects based on intelligence:
i. Nwabueze Kelvin Odoh alias “Naira”, aged 36,
ii. Godwin Ikechukwu Eze alias “Shark”, aged 46,
iii. Ugwu Moses, aged 47.
Nwabueze and Godwin were arrested in Nsukka, while Ugwu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State. The suspects kidnapped a male victim on November 27, 2024, at about 9:00 p.m., in Nru, Nsukka, using his Toyota Corolla car. They took him to an unknown location and obtained a ransom of one million, seventy-seven thousand naira (₦2,077,000.00) and made away with his car and mobile phones.
The suspects confessed to the crimes and have been arraigned and remanded.
Exhibits recovered from them include:
a. One pump-action gun
b. Three locally made guns
c. Five live cartridges
d. Two 9mm calibre rounds
e. One black Yamaha motorcycle
f. One Moniepoint POS machine
g. Four mobile phones
h. Three pairs of military uniforms
i. One Neighbourhood Watch uniform
j. One Police training manual
k. Two pairs of hand gloves
l. One set of knee and elbow guards
m. One pepper spray
2. CASES OF ARMED ROBBERY, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND CULTISM
a) Case of Unlawful Possession of Firearm and Arrest of Suspect
On April 30, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., Police Operatives of the Command attached to the Distress Response Squad (DRS), while on routine patrol along Ozalla/Udi Road, intercepted a commercial bus bound for Onitsha, Anambra State. Upon searching the bag of one of the passengers, Ozoemenam Amadi “m”, aged 28, of Amulor-Amasiri in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State, recovered a locally made pistol.
The suspect will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing discreet investigation.
b) Case of Arrest of Armed Robbery Suspects and Recovery of Firearms, Ammunition, and Other Exhibits
Following a report of threatening violence and assault, two male suspects, Orogwu Chukwudi, aged 29, and Orogwu Amaechi, aged 26, were arrested on April 27, 2025, at about 3:00 p.m. by operatives attached to Abakpa Police Division. A search warrant executed at their residence on Harmony Road, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and six mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of an armed robbery gang and led operatives to a bush at Umuchigbo-Nike, Enugu, where a cut-to-size single-barrel gun and two rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition were recovered. Further investigation is ongoing to apprehend their accomplices and recover additional exhibits.
c) Case of Arrest of Notorious Cultist and Armed Robbery Suspect, and Recovery of Firearm and Ammunition
Following a report of armed robbery and cultism, operatives attached to the Nsukka Sector of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, on April 24, 2025, arrested one Asogwa Kingsley a.k.a. “Severe”, aged 21. A Beretta pistol loaded with five live rounds of ammunition and an unregistered black Lexus car were recovered, along with a studio speaker and power bank stolen from the victim.
The suspect confessed to the crime and identified himself as the leader of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa (Black Axe). He is assisting in the ongoing discreet investigation.
d) Case of Arrest of Suspects for Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, Murder, and Recovery of G-3 Assault Rifle
Police Operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, on April 23, 2025, at about 4:45 p.m., recovered a G-3 assault rifle with an empty magazine from five male suspects involved in a case of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder. The suspects include:
i. Sunday Akronyi a.k.a. “Lekpa”, aged 32,
ii. Oforbuike Promise Igboji a.k.a. “Offor”, aged 32.
iii. Ebubechukwu Ekwueme a.k.a. “Achike”, aged 27,
iv. Chukwuebuka Ogbodo, aged 33,
v. Chinedu Emmanuel Eze, aged 23, and
vi. Okechukwu Igwe a.k.a. “Tianna”, aged 43.
Akronyi, Igboji and Ekwueme were initially arrested following credible information. However, their confessional statements led to further arrest of Eze and Igwe respectively, and the recovery of the firearm. The suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.
e) Arrest of Armed Robbery and Cultism Suspect and Recovery of Firearms, Other Weapons and Exhibits
Acting on a distress call reporting an armed robbery incident along the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad promptly responded and arrested one Chukwuebuka Okafor “m”, aged 38. The following items were recovered:
a. One cut-to-size single-barrel gun,
b. One expended cartridge,
c. One pickaxe,
d. One cutlass, and
e. One walkie-talkie.
The suspect confessed to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and is assisting in the investigation to arrest his accomplices.
f) Case of Arrest of Suspects for Conspiracy, Unlawful Possession of Ammunitions, Cultism, and Recovery of Exhibits
Following a tip-off about suspected cultist activities in Ugwuaji, Enugu South LGA, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested the following male suspects while others fled:
i. Iwuoha Daniel, aged 25,
ii. Ugwu Theophilus, aged 45, and
iii. Okafor Augustine, aged 30.
They confessed to being members of the Black Axe Confraternity, while one locally fabricated double-barrel gun, and one expended and fourteen live cartridges were recovered from them. The suspects have been arraigned in court and remanded Correctional Custodial Centre.
g) Case of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Arrest of Suspect and Recovery of Exhibits
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad arrested one Chidozie Onyeka “m”, aged 28, in March 2025. Upon searching him, 41 live rounds of .38 calibre ammunition were recovered. He was arraigned on March 25, 2025, and remanded in the Correctional Custodial Centre.
3. CASES OF MURDER
a) Murder of a Two-Year-Old Girl and Arrest of Suspect
On April 5, 2025, one Blessing Chinemerem Agbo “f”, aged 23, was arrested for murdering a two-year-old girl, Chigozirim Eze, by throwing her into a water well, where she drowned, in a compound at Orie Ugwuaji, Enugu South LGA. The suspect, whose mother is the landlady of the victim’s family, had sent the girl’s older siblings on an errand before committing the crime.
The child was rushed to a hospital but confirmed dead by the attending doctor. Her body was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy. The suspect confessed to the crime and, following an investigation by the Homicide Section of the State CID, was charged to court and the Correctional Custodial Centre.
b) Case of Sororicide and Arrest of Suspect
On April 2, 2025, Police Operatives attached to Igbo-Eze North Division arrested one Oluchi Odoh “f”, aged 26, for the murder of her younger sister, Chinelo Odoh “f”, aged 23, while she was sleeping. At about 2:40 a.m., the suspect left her room and attacked her mother, her sister and the same sister’s 7-year-old son with an axe.
They were rushed to the hospital, where Chinelo was confirmed dead, while the others are currently responding to treatment. The suspect confessed and, upon the conclusion of the investigation by the Homicide Section of the State CID, was charged to court and the Correctional Custodial Centre.
CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
a) Case of Child Stealing and Trafficking, Rescue of Child, and Arrest of Suspects
Acting on intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad rescued a 4-year-old girl child in Abia State on March 25, 2025. She was stolen on March 15, 2025, by her family’s neighbour, Esther Adejo “f”, aged 55, who was later arrested in Edo State on March 23, 2025. Her accomplice, Onyinye Benjamin “f”, aged 62, was also arrested in Abia State.
Esther Adejo had rented an apartment in the same compound as the victim’s parents in Ede-Oballa, Nsukka LGA, and kidnapped the child barely two weeks later. Both suspects confessed, and the case has been charged to court.
SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED
288
BREAKDOWN OF THE SUSPECTS ARRESTED AS PER OFFENCES
Total number of suspects arrested for armed robbery
42
Total number of suspects arrested for kidnapping
33
Total number of suspects arrested for murder
12
Total number of suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition
6
Total number of suspects arrested for rape and defilement
5
Total number of suspects arrested for cultism and associated crimes
44
Total number of suspects arrested for a variety of crimes, including stealing, breaking offences, vandalism, among other crimes
149
RESCUES/RECOVERIES
Total number of abduction or kidnapped victims rescued
36
Total number of firearms of different calibres recovered, including the G-3 Assault rifle
44
Total number of ammunitions of different calibres recovered
173
Total number of vehicular exhibits recovered
20
CONCLUSION
Gentlemen of the press, these brief descriptions of some of our modest operational successes are intended to provide insight into our unwavering efforts to combat crime in Enugu State. Despite existing challenges, we remain committed to ensuring the State remains safe, secure, and peaceful for citizens, visitors, and investors to continue performing their lawful businesses.
As I have repeatedly emphasized, the support and cooperation of all members of society remain paramount. Therefore, I urge all and sundry to continue to be law-abiding, vigilant, and promptly report criminals and their activities to the Police and other relevant law enforcement agencies.
Thank you for your time and attention.
May God bless you all
