Tension gripped commuters in Enugu State on Friday after suspected kidnappers blocked a major highway and abducted several passengers,
forcing policemen on duty to flee the scene for safety.The incident reportedly occurred along the Ugwogo-Nike Opi Nsukka Road,
a route linking Enugu metropolis to Nsukka. Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed hoodlums laid siege to the road for hours,
shooting sporadically and causing panic among travelers.According to reports, the kidnappers emerged from the surrounding bushes and stopped vehicles at gunpoint.
They were said to have kidnapped an unspecified number of people, leaving many others stranded and terrified.A witness,
who narrowly escaped the attack, told journalists that some policemen stationed near the scene fled upon hearing gunfire. “The kidnappers came out suddenly and
started shooting everywhere. The policemen that were close to the area ran for their lives. Many passengers abandoned their vehicles and ran into the bush,”
the witness said.Another resident, Chukwuma Nnamani, described the incident as a terrifying experience, saying that the kidnappers operated freely for
several minutes without resistance. “It was like a movie. People were crying and running in different directions. The bandits took over the road completely,” he added.
The Ugwogo–Opi highway has become notorious for kidnapping incidents in recent months, raising serious security concerns among commuters and residents of Enugu State.
Locals have repeatedly appealed to the government to intensify patrols and surveillance on the road to curb the activities of the criminals.Confirming the attack,
the Enugu State Police Command said an operation was underway to track down the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims.
Police spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe stated that tactical units had been dispatched to the area immediately after the incident.He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information that could assist in apprehending the suspects.The latest incident has once again drawn attention to the growing insecurity along major highways in the South-East region, where armed gangs continue to stage daring attacks despite ongoing security operations.As of the time of filing this report, the number of victims abducted and details of their identities remain unknown.
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