A woman kidnapped in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was rescued unharmed on Friday during a joint security operation. Police, Nigerian Army personnel, Neighbourhood Watch, and Forest Guards traced the abductors to Agu Orba Forest along the Ohebe-Orba axis following credible intelligence. When confronted, the suspects opened fire, but security operatives returned fire, killing one and wounding others who escaped. The victim was found safe, debriefed, and reunited with her family, according to police spokesman SP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the operation took place on Friday.
Recovered from the scene were five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, a long machete, a short dagger, four mobile phones, four torchlights, two power banks, two memory cards, N51,700 in cash, assorted food, spoons, clothing, face caps, and other items. CP Mamman Giwa, the Commissioner of Police, directed the operation and praised the coordination among security teams. SP Ndukwe said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and urged the public to keep sharing actionable intelligence. The command reiterated its commitment to tackling violent crime across Enugu State.
One dead suspect and a rescued victim do not erase the fact that kidnapping remains a routine risk in parts of Enugu. The presence of live ammunition, weapons and multiple phones suggests this was not a spontaneous act but a planned criminal enterprise. CP Mamman Giwa's commendation of operatives may boost morale, but it does not address the persistent security lapses that allow abductions in communities like Ezimo. Unless the fleeing suspects are caught and the network behind them dismantled, this operation is just one skirmish in a losing war.
