By Florencemary Nwabueze
The Enugu state police command has neutralised one armed robbery suspect and arrested four others, in a major crackdown on criminal activities along the state's borders following a coordinated operations.
According to the commands public relations officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe in a statement on Wednesday, the operations were carried out on June 28, 2026 under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu's "Handshake Patrol" initiative, which targeted criminal hideouts and border points across the state, yielding significant recoveries including firearms, suspected illicit drugs, and other incriminating exhibits.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. when operatives from the Command's Amechi-Idodo Division, working alongside members of the Neighbourhood Watch, intercepted a criminal gang that had blocked a section of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road to rob commuters.
The gang, which had been under surveillance for previous armed robberies along the border road, engaged the operatives in a fierce gun battle. The confrontation resulted in the gang leader, identified as Ifesinachi Kenneth (male), sustaining gunshot injuries. He was subsequently arrested but later confirmed dead while receiving medical treatment.
Kenneth's arrest proved crucial as his confessional statements led investigators to Izuchukwu Nwanga (male), who was allegedly responsible for keeping the gang's proceeds of crime.
In a separate operation at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day, police operatives attached to the Umumba Division stormed a criminal hideout at Umumba Ndiagu Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area, which borders Anambra State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives arrested two suspects – Uwah Ifesinachi Sunday, 23, and Chinonso Okafor Paul, 25. Recovered items from the hideout included a locally fabricated pistol, a knife, a pair of scissors, and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
In another development, the command's Distress Response Squad (DRS) also recorded success during routine stop-and-search operations along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at Ugwuoba in Oji-River Local Government Area.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., operatives intercepted a commercial tricycle conveying passengers and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun belonging to one Ifediri Nwobu, 21. When the suspect attempted to evade arrest by fleeing and jumping into a nearby river, operatives successfully apprehended him.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, praised the operatives for their courage and professionalism, highlighting the successful collaboration between police forces and the Neighbourhood Watch.
"The Command remains committed to strengthening border security and combating violent crimes through intelligence-led policing," CP Giwa stated.
He further urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
The command noted that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected to the cases.