By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The joint security forces in Enugu State have successfully rescued six kidnapped victims and the arreste 32 suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) .
The kidnapped victims, including two reverend sisters — Ukwluaba Ogochukwu and Florian Amrdia — were rescued unharmed around 7:30 a.m. following a coordinated operation by the Nigerian Army, Police, local vigilante groups, and forest guards.
The kidnappers, overwhelmed by pressure from pursuing security forces, abandoned their captives in the Nkwo Okwutu forest in Nsukka Local Government Area, near the Enugu-Kogi border.
According to Zagazola, other rescued individuals were identified as Ugwan Likani, Ezema Goodluck, Ukwuaba Esther, and Chekueuche Odo. They were promptly taken to the Catholic Hospital in Emene for medical evaluation and have since been reunited with their families after debriefing.
In a separate but related operation earlier that same day, between 3:10 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., 32 suspected IPOB/ESN members were apprehended during raids on criminal hideouts in Mmaku, Ugbo Afam, Ugo Nenwe, and Ugbonabo areas of Enugu State.
Police sources confirmed that the raids were carried out based on credible intelligence, particularly linking some suspects to a recent attack on a patrol team of the Mbanabo Division. Ten of the arrested individuals are believed to be high-profile operatives previously involved in attacks on the Awgu Divisional Headquarters and the Inyi Division.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, had deployed the Commander of the Distress Response Squad to lead the joint tactical operation, which included personnel from SWAT, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Police Mobile Force (PMF), and other units.
Authorities say discreet investigations are ongoing to ascertain the level of involvement of each suspect, with a view to prosecuting those found culpable.
