Forest Guard, Police Special Squad Raid Ette Forest in Enugu, Rescue 12 Kidnap Victims, Recover AK-47 Rifles
A joint security operation involving the Enugu State Forest Guard and a special squad from the Nigeria Police Force has rescued twelve kidnapped victims and recovered two AK-47 rifles during a coordinated raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the Ette forest corridor of Enugu State.
The Enugu State Forest Guard, working alongside the Inspector-General of Police Special Intervention Squad and other security agencies, has successfully rescued twelve kidnapped victims during a coordinated forest security operation within the Effeche Eja/Ojugo forest corridor around Ette and Aguibeje communities in Igbo‑Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation followed credible intelligence indicating the presence and activities of a kidnapping gang operating within the forest axis.
According to reports monitored by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the operation was coordinated by the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Akinbayo Olasunkanmi Olasoji, as part of an ongoing statewide bush-combing exercise initiated by the Enugu State Government to dismantle criminal hideouts across forest corridors and rural communities.
During the operation, security operatives reportedly encountered suspected kidnappers who opened fire on the approaching team, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
At the end of the engagement, the joint security team successfully rescued the twelve kidnapped victims from the criminals’ hideout and recovered two AK-47 rifles believed to belong to the fleeing suspects. The raid also led to the disruption of a kidnapping camp within the Effeche forest corridor.
Further follow-up operations conducted by a combined team of the police, the Nigerian Army, the Forest Guard, and the Neighbourhood Watch led to the interception and arrest of three suspected kidnappers within the operational area. The suspects are currently in police custody and assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries.
Security officials said the successful operation underscores the effectiveness of the ongoing forest security initiative and the strength of inter-agency collaboration in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
Authorities also reassured residents that security operations across forest corridors and rural communities will remain active and sustained.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to help identify and flush out criminal elements from communities across the state.
Further updates are expected as investigations and security operations continue.
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