.Enugu Police burst den, arrest three suspects, recover guns
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly abducted an unspecified number of travellers yesterday at the boundary between Ondo and Ekiti states.

This was as the Enugu State Police Command yesterday burst a kidnapper’s den at Centenary Layout, Obeagu, Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Council and arrested three male suspects and recovered eight pump action guns, ammunition and other exhibits.

The gunmen were said to have waylaid the passengers between the Ikere-Ekiti and Iju axes of Ondo State.

Two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Highlander, which had no one in them, were found at the scene of the incident.

It was gathered that the two vehicles were riddled with bullets with the passengers said to have been taken into the forest around Iju.

According to a source who craved anonymity, “the kidnappers might have marched them into the bush; the incident happened in the evening, and it came to our knowledge on Friday morning when we saw the vehicles riddled with bullets.”

He, however, said the incident had been reported to the police in the area, and they had visited the scene of the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Olufunmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, stated that the command could not confirm the number of people involved.

She explained that men from the anti-kidnapping section of the command swung into action immediately after the incident was reported.

“They have been combing the forest since,” she said.
She also noted that there was no official report from the family or families of the owners of the two vehicles, and there was no report of missing people in the state.
She, however, assured that the state police command would soon unravel what took place at the scene and rescue the victims if it was a case of abduction.

A statement from the Enugu Police Command said the breakthrough followed credible information made to it by the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).

According to the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the operational exercise led to the arrest of three male suspects, namely; Emmanuel Nwabundo, aged 39; Emmanuel Eze, aged 35 and Anthony Onoche George, aged 30, while others escaped.

“Eight pump action guns with four live and 26 expended cartridges were recovered. Other exhibits recovered include one machete, four units of solar-powered CCTV cameras, 13 assorted phones, one DVD player and four bags and clothes, all suspected to be stolen. Also recovered are objects suspected to be charms,” he said

He added that a preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the criminal elements and their cohorts at large have been using the location as a hideout for the design and consequent perfection of their criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, among other crimes, within Enugu metropolis and environs.

Ndukwe said the suspects would be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded. He reaffirmed the avowed commitment of the command to being more proactive and forward-looking in its quest to rid Enugu State of unrepentant criminals and their unwholesome activities.

He called on the citizenry to remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to avail the police of credible and actionable security information while also reporting criminals and their activities to the nearest Police Station.