THE Enugu State Police Command says it arrested 5,895 persons in the past one year for allegedly committing various offenses including kidnapping, murder and rape across the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu state Command Mamman Bitrus Giwa, at a press conference in Enugu on Wednesday, March 11, to mark his one year in office.
The CP who assumed office in Enugu on March II, 2025, said the state had since than witnessed a marked reduction in violent crimes especially crimes against persons, explaining that this feat was achieved due to the entrenchment of a policing system that is professional, proactive and people-friendly.
“Over the past one year, we have made proactive policing the main thrust of our crime-fighting strategy. While a few isolated incidents may have occurred beyond our initial 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,” said the CP.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, he disclosed that one hundred and forty-eight (148) suspects were arrested for armed robbery, one hundred and twenty-nine (129) suspects for kidnapping, and one hundred and fifty-eight (158) suspects for murder
Some of the vehicles recovered“The highlighted cases represent only a few examples of the successes the Command has achieved under my watch through proactive, intelligence-led policing and operational coordination,” the CP said.
CP Giwa recalled that several high-profile social, political, economic, traditional, and technological events were held across different parts of Enugu State within the past one year, saying that during these events, the Police ensured that the security and safety of participants at these events were adequately maintained.
“This would not have been possible without our dogged and proactive policing approach,” he said.
He enumerated Some of the recent events to include:
- CP Giwa (front) and his management team during the press conference
- The peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year across the State.
The CP further said that many of the criminal cases recorded have already been charged to court, with suspects remanded in Nigerian Correctional Service custody.
“Investigations into the more recent cases are ongoing, and upon conclusion, the cases will also be duly prosecuted. Specifically, the prosecution of the cases in the past one year since my assumption of duty is presented as follows:
Some of the firearms recovered
He thanked the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, for what he described as the “impressive and determined reforms he has already initiated within the Force.”
“I also acknowledge the unwavering commitment of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose security-focused leadership has provided the enabling environment for our work.
“I deeply appreciate the support and cooperation of our sister security agencies, the Enugu State Forest Guards, the Neighbourhood Watch Group, and most importantly, law-abiding citizens, who have continued to provide credible intelligence that made our operations seamless and successful.
“I must equally commend the officers and men of the Command for their resilience and commitment to duty. As I always remind them, the best reward for good work is more good work,” said CP Giwa.
He reassured the people of Enugu State that “my commitment to frontally tackle security challenges in the State remains unwavering.”
