Security Operatives Kill 27 Kidnappers, IPOB Members In Enugu

A recent operation by a coalition of security agencies resulted in the killing of at least 27 individuals suspected to be members of a kidnapping gang and some affiliated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the security faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Enugu State.

Naija News reports that this development follows the administration of Governor Peter Mbah‘s announcement of a stringent campaign against Biafra separatist factions and other criminal activities.

As reported by the Governor’s media office on Wednesday, these individuals were eliminated in various confrontations with security forces throughout the state over the last two weeks.

The statement highlighted that some of those neutralized had ties to Simon Ekpa, also known as Auto Pilot IPOB, based in Finland.

Residents have called upon the Governor to enforce the state’s criminal code and demolish properties utilized by kidnappers and other criminals as hideouts to discourage further illicit activities, as noted in the statement.

Additionally, it was reported that in a recent operation, a joint security team led by Superintendent Onochie Ezeh successfully rescued kidnapped victims and eliminated a seven-member gang of kidnappers at Ogbeke Nike, where a large poultry farm was reportedly used to conceal hostages.

This operation is part of ongoing initiatives aimed at eradicating criminal elements within the state, including kidnappers, unidentified gunmen, and other nefarious individuals, some of whom are suspected of operating from adjacent states.

“We have been on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months now. They had been operating within this axis, where they kidnapped their victims and kept them at a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike until ransoms were paid,” The PUNCH quoted Ezeh as saying.

“Upon receiving a tip-off from members of the public who suspected the strange movements in the area, and based on the accounts of some of the victims of these criminals, we swung into action. On sighting us, these men of the underworld opened fire on my men, and we quickly retaliated and overpowered them with our superior firepower,” he stressed.

Ezeh additionally revealed that the joint security task force, established by Governor Mbah as a specialized unit to combat kidnappings and the actions of armed assailants, has made considerable progress in maintaining law and order within the state and eliminating criminal elements.

“This is a gallant crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of threat in the state. We have recorded huge successes over the past months. You know our role is not to rush to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

“I can tell you that we have already neutralised over seven criminal gangs, most of whom were kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the battle to their doorsteps because the Governor has instructed us not to return until we have completely rid the state of these threats.

“So we are on it. In fact, during our operations, we identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue premises where kidnap victims and dangerous weapons are kept. These places include New Artisan Market, Akwuke community, Akegbe-Ugwu, Four Corners, Awgu, Mgbowo, Emene, Eke, Afa in Udi, and some parts of Isi Uzo local government.

“During rescue operations, we were able to neutralise over 30 of the kidnappers and recover guns and valuables,” Eze added.

Narrating her awful experience while with the kidnappers, one of the rescued victims, identified as Dr Kate Pamela, said during press briefing: “Each time I pass by that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice by still allowing it to operate. They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families could only afford ten million naira each, against the fifty million naira demanded.

“Although I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel that the area should be cleared. The government must ensure justice by turning that place into a landfill.”