Security agencies have arrested three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang allegedly responsible for the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The suspects were arrested during a joint operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel.
One suspected kidnapper was killed during a gun battle with the security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang.
The development was disclosed on Monday night when Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects.
Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said two of the three victims abducted during the August 2 attack had regained their freedom.
The freed victims were identified as Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi.
According to Onyia, both victims subsequently identified the arrested suspects as members of the gang responsible for their abduction.
“There was one fatality in this process. 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 we have one fatality, while the others are here now as you can see; and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The SSG said the state government would continue to strengthen its security architecture and work with security agencies to prevent criminal activities and ensure that offenders face justice.
He warned criminals against operating in the state, stressing that security agencies would continue to pursue those involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business; that we will pursue you, we will make sure we bring you to justice,” Onyia said.
He added that the government had deliberately invested in security and coordinated its security architecture across the state to make Enugu hostile to criminal elements.
According to him, although criminals may escape immediately after committing an offence, they would eventually be tracked down.
“You can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,” he said.
Onyia also warned residents against aiding criminal groups, saying anyone found providing information or other forms of support to kidnappers would be investigated and prosecuted.
“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate,” he warned.
He said investigations were still ongoing and assured residents that the government would continue to track down individuals involved in planning attacks against citizens.
The SSG commended the security agencies involved in the operation, particularly the DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Enugu State Forest Guard, for their roles in apprehending the suspects and recovering the weapons.
