Gunmen abducted 16-year-old boy in Enugu, abandoned him in Anambra

The Nigeria Police Force says it has rescued a 16-year-old boy (name withheld) from a checkpoint in Anambra State, where he was abandoned by gunmen who abducted him in Enugu State.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the victim was abducted in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State and later abandoned near a security checkpoint in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.

He said operatives of the Anambra State Police Command rescued the victim on Monday.

“A joint patrol team operating at Ekene Junction along Oguta Road, Onitsha, intercepted the victim after he was reportedly dropped from a black Toyota Highlander SUV by unidentified persons close to the security checkpoint,” he said.

The spokesperson said the rescue of the victim followed improved “strategic joint security operations” conducted on the evening of Sunday, 13 September.

“The swift response of the joint patrol team led to the boy’s rescue and prevented further harm.

“The Command has since stepped up surveillance and other intelligence-led measures to identify, trace, and arrest those responsible for the alleged abduction,” he said.

Mr Ikenga appealed to Nigerians, particularly residents of Igboeze South Council Area and Ibagwa-Aka Community in Enugu State, to assist the police with any information that could help locate the victim’s family.

He said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, has commended the joint patrol team for its vigilance and professionalism.

Mr Ama further urged personnel to sustain intelligence-led patrols, strategic checkpoints, and coordinated security operations across the state.

The commissioner assured residents of the state and visitors that the police in the state were committed to protecting lives and property, responding swiftly to distress security emergencies.