The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, on Wednesday reviewed the security situation in the state, highlighting major operational achievements recorded by the Command within the past one year.
Speaking during a press briefing held on March 11, 2026, at the Enugu State Police Command Headquarters in GRA, the Commissioner said the Command had remained committed to professional, proactive and people-friendly policing since he assumed office on March 11, 2025.
According to him, the Command has placed strong emphasis on discipline, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations in tackling criminal activities across the state.
CP Giwa stressed that officers who failed to uphold the core values of the Force were subjected to disciplinary procedures, noting that accountability remains a central pillar of effective policing.
He also commended the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, whose reforms, he said, continue to promote professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights, public trust and modern people-centred policing.
Decline in Violent Crimes
The Commissioner explained that proactive policing strategies adopted by the Command over the past year have led to noticeable reductions in violent crimes, particularly kidnapping, murder, rape and armed robbery.
While acknowledging that some incidents occurred beyond the scope of initial preventive measures, Giwa said the Command responded swiftly through intelligence-led operations to track down suspects and rescue victims.
Rescue of Kidnap Victims, Arrest of Suspects
One of the Command’s recent operational breakthroughs occurred on March 6, 2026, when police operatives working in collaboration with the military, Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group rescued twelve kidnapped victims in Efeche Forest in Ette Community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Enugu State Command
Following the rescue operation, police launched sting operations that led to the arrest of three suspects who were identified by the victims as members of the kidnapping gang.
Items recovered from the suspects included a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated revolver, a live cartridge, a military camouflage hat, two bulletproof jackets and other materials believed to have been used by the suspects while hiding in the forest.
In another operation carried out on February 27, 2026, operatives attached to the Unity Division, with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, arrested five suspects along the Ugwuogo-Opi-Nsukka Road at Ogbeke-Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area.
The suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in several kidnapping and armed robbery incidents. Recovered items included a locally fabricated six-round revolver, a cutlass, two daggers and other incriminating materials.
Clergyman Rescued After Gun Battle
The Command also recorded another successful rescue on January 29, 2026, when police operatives, alongside soldiers, Forest Guards, neighbourhood security operatives and community vigilantes, conducted a coordinated bush-combing exercise in the Agushere and Okpakereke forests bordering Benue State.
The operation followed the kidnapping of a clergyman earlier that morning.
During the search operation, security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, killing one suspect while others fled into the forest.
The victim was rescued unharmed. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, twenty rounds of live ammunition, an extra magazine, two daggers and military camouflage uniforms.
Similarly, on January 18, 2026, operatives foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Ngene-Ukwu axis of the Adani-Nsukka Road after a gun duel with suspected kidnappers. One suspect was neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. An AK-47 rifle and twenty rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Within the past year, the Command arrested 129 suspects linked to kidnapping and successfully rescued 168 abducted victims.
Arrests in Rape and Defilement Cases
CP Giwa disclosed that 39 suspects were arrested for rape and defilement during the period under review.
Among the cases was the arrest of Chinedu Nkasiobi, 18, by operatives of the Abakpa Police Division on March 6, 2026.
Nkasiobi allegedly broke into a woman’s apartment through the ceiling at Alulu-Nike in Enugu on March 4 and raped her after threatening her with a knife.
In another case, Ikenna Ekesi, 30, was arrested following a complaint by the Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, which alleged that he defiled and impregnated his 12-year-old ward in Mmaku community of Awgu Local Government Area.
Police investigations revealed that the victim had been hired to take care of the suspect’s six-year-old child while attending school before the abuse occurred.
The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of Eugene Obinna Ikeche, 45, by operatives of the Iwollo Division after his 17-year-old daughter reported that he had been sexually abusing her and later began defiling her younger sister, aged 12.
Police said the suspect confessed and would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.
Cultism and Drug Trafficking Crackdown
The police boss further revealed that 210 suspects were arrested for cultism, illicit drug trafficking and related offences during the period.
A major operation took place on March 8, 2026, after intelligence reports indicated that suspected cultists had gathered around the Green House area of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before heading to the Owerre-Eze Orba forest in Udenu Local Government Area.
Police tactical teams later stormed the forest and disrupted an initiation ceremony allegedly organised by members of the Black Axe Confraternity.
Thirteen suspects were arrested during the operation, including two individuals with fresh initiation marks.
Recovered items included firearms, pistols, cartridges, a pick-handle axe, knives, three vehicles, a tricycle, forty-five motorcycles, twenty-four mobile phones, a laptop, power banks and bags containing clothing items.
Police also seized large quantities of illicit drugs, including variants of cannabis sativa known locally as Kolos and Loud, as well as tramadol and methamphetamine popularly called “Mkpuru-Mmiri.”
The Command said it continues to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in combating drug trafficking and drug abuse.
Breakdown of Crime Statistics
Providing a breakdown of the Command’s achievements over the past year, CP Giwa disclosed that 5,895 suspects were arrested for various criminal offences.
The statistics include:
- 148 suspects arrested for armed robbery
- 129 suspects arrested for kidnapping
- 158 suspects arrested for murder
- 48 suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms
- 39 suspects arrested for rape and defilement
- 210 suspects arrested for cultism and drug-related offences
- 5,163 suspects arrested for other offences such as stealing, fraud, vandalism, human trafficking and house-breaking
Police also recovered 105 firearms, including 22 AK-47 rifles and one G-3 rifle, as well as 665 rounds of live ammunition.
Additionally, 118 stolen or abandoned vehicles were recovered during various police operations.
Security for Major Events
The Commissioner also highlighted the Command’s role in maintaining security during major events held across the state.
These included the peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year festivities, the 2026 Legal Week, the South East Vision 2050 Stakeholders Forum held in February, and the Zion Movement Outreach Crusade.
He further recalled that the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, which attracted over 20,000 lawyers to Enugu, was successfully secured by the police without any major incident.
Prosecution of Criminal Cases
On prosecution of criminal cases, CP Giwa said the Command had charged several suspects to court within the past year.
According to him:
- 1,248 cases have been prosecuted
- 237 cases have secured convictions
- 368 cases are still under investigation
Appreciation and Call for Continued Support
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for ongoing reforms within the Force.
He also commended the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his administration’s commitment to strengthening security in the state.
Giwa further acknowledged the support of sister security agencies, the Enugu State Forest Guards, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and residents who continue to provide useful intelligence to the police.
Commitment to Sustained Security
Reassuring residents of the Command’s commitment to tackling security challenges, the Commissioner urged traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, the media and the general public to continue supporting the police.
According to him, collective efforts remain crucial to sustaining peace and stability across the state.
“Together, we can continue to build and sustain a peaceful and secure environment for everyone in Enugu State,” he said.