Police kill armed men in Enugu shootout

A suspected member of a robbery gang, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was killed during a shootout with operatives of the Enugu State Police Command.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday that the incident occurred on Monday, February 24, when operatives from the 9th Mile Police Division foiled a robbery attack along Owa Road.

The spokesperson for the command, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent, stating, “Yes, the suspect was neutralised in a gun duel.”

In a statement shared with PUNCH Metro, Ndukwe provided further details, revealing that the police operatives thwarted the robbery during one of their multiple raid operations on Monday.

“On February 24, 2025, operatives attached to the 9th Mile Police Division repelled an armed robbery attack along Owa Road, neutralising one of the armed men while others escaped,” he stated.

According to Ndukwe, other suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of injuries sustained during the gun duel.

He also disclosed that a cut-to-size double-barrelled gun with three live cartridges, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and other exhibits were recovered from the deceased suspect.

“A manhunt for the other suspects, who fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, is ongoing,” he added.

Additionally, Ndukwe revealed that the operation led to the arrest of a male suspect involved in car theft and the recovery of a firearm, ammunition, and stolen vehicles.

“The recovered exhibits include one cut-to-size double-barreled gun with three live cartridges, two stolen Toyota Corolla cars, and other incriminating items,” he stated.

Providing updates on other raids across the state, Ndukwe disclosed that police operatives from the Igbo-Etiti Division arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Sunday Ejiofor, on February 14, 2025, for allegedly stealing a vehicle.

According to him, a stolen blue Toyota Corolla car was recovered from Ejiofor following credible intelligence. The suspect reportedly confessed to stealing the vehicle from a compound in Orba, Udenu Local Government Area, on the same day.

“He has since been arraigned in court and remanded at the Correctional Custodial Centre following the conclusion of the investigation by the Udenu Police Division, which has jurisdiction over the case,” the statement noted.

Ndukwe also recounted another operation on February 1, 2025, when operatives from the New Haven Division recovered a Toyota Corolla car that had been stolen from Igbo Eze Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.

“The hoodlums abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the operatives who were on their trail. The car has since been released to its owner,” he stated.