A combined force of security agencies has neutralised at least 27 individuals suspected of being kidnappers and members of the Eastern Security Network, the security arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in Enugu State.

This comes as Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has declared a crackdown on Biafra separatist groups and other criminal elements.

According to a statement from the Governor’s media office on Wednesday, the individuals were killed in various locations across the state over the past two weeks during shootouts with security operatives.

The statement noted that some of those neutralised were loyal to Simon Ekpa, also known as Auto Pilot IPOB, based in Finland.

Residents have urged the Governor to invoke the state’s criminal code and demolish properties used by kidnappers and other criminals as stash houses, to deter further criminal activity, the statement noted.

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It added that in a recent operation, a joint security team led by Superintendent Onochie Ezeh rescued kidnapped victims and killed a seven-man gang of kidnappers at Ogbeke Nike, where a large poultry farm was used to hide hostages.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts to flush out criminals operating in the state, including kidnappers, unknown gunmen, and other unscrupulous elements, some of whom are believed to be operating from neighbouring states.

“We have been on the trail of these kidnappers for more than three months now. They had been operating within this axis, where they kidnapped their victims and kept them at a large poultry farm at Ogbeke Nike until ransoms were paid,” the statement quoted Ezeh as saying.

“Upon receiving a tip-off from members of the public who suspected the strange movements in the area, and based on the accounts of some of the victims of these criminals, we swung into action. On sighting us, these men of the underworld opened fire on my men, and we quickly retaliated and overpowered them with our superior firepower,” he stressed.

Ezeh further disclosed that the combined security task force, set up by the Enugu State Governor, Mr Peter Mbah, as a tactical squad against kidnappings and the activities of gunmen, had achieved significant milestones in policing the state and flushing out criminal elements.

“This is a gallant crack squad with the mandate to eliminate every form of threat in the state. We have recorded huge successes over the past months. You know our role is not to rush to the media to tell our story but to ensure that every citizen and resident of the state has peace.

“I can tell you that we have already neutralised over seven criminal gangs, most of whom were kidnappers and unknown gunmen. We are going after them. We are taking the battle to their doorsteps because the Governor has instructed us not to return until we have completely rid the state of these threats.

“So we are on it. In fact, during our operations, we identified many criminal hideouts that serve as rogue premises where kidnap victims and dangerous weapons are kept. These places include New Artisan Market, Akwuke community, Akegbe-Ugwu, Four Corners, Awgu, Mgbowo, Emene, Eke, Afa in Udi, and some parts of Isi Uzo local government.

During rescue operations, we were able to neutralise over 30 of the kidnappers and recover guns and valuables,” he said.

The statement also quoted one of the rescued kidnap victims, identified as Dr Kate Pamela, who lamented the traumatic experience she endured at the hands of the kidnappers.

“Each time I pass by that poultry, I feel I have been denied justice by still allowing it to operate. They kidnapped us and kept us there for five days. They even killed two of the victims because their families could only afford ten million naira each, against the fifty million naira demanded.

Although I was able to identify the bodies of three of the kidnappers when they were killed, I still feel that the area should be cleared. The government must ensure justice by turning that place into a landfill,” the statement quoted her as saying.