A joint security operation comprising operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Enugu State Forest Guard has arrested three members of a kidnapping gang linked to the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
One member of the gang was neutralised during a gun battle with security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered at the scene.
The development was disclosed on Monday night when the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, represented Governor Peter Mbah on an inspection visit to the suspects at the state DSS headquarters.
Onyia revealed that two of the victims abducted during the church attack—a seminarian identified as Lawrence Igbo, and Emmanuel Onwudi—have been successfully rescued and have positively identified the three suspects as their captors.
“There was one fatality in this process,” Onyia said. “It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them. Usually, criminal elements will not want to be apprehended easily without a fight, but our people were ready… and they will face the full wrath of the law.”
Mbah administration reiterates zero-tolerance stance
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to tackling violent crime, Onyia warned that Enugu would remain inhospitable to criminal elements.
“We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business,” he declared. “We are intentional in investing in and organising our security architecture to prevent crime. But if there is a breach, you can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you.”
The SSG also issued a stern warning to informants and individuals aiding kidnappers, stating that ongoing investigations would expose accomplices to face prosecution.
“Wherever you are, know that investigation is ongoing and that this government will track you down, and you will pay for your crimes in planning havoc on our citizens,” he added.
Onyia commended the collaborative efforts of the various security arms involved in tracking down the suspects and securing the release of the victims.
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