Security agencies have arrested 3 suspected members of a kidnapping gang allegedly involved in the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, located in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The arrest was achieved through a joint security operation involving the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Enugu State Forest Guard, and other security personnel.
During a gun battle between the security forces and the gang, 1 suspected kidnapper was killed, while 4 AK-47 rifles alongside ammunition were recovered from the hideout of the syndicate.
The development was made public on Monday night when the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, confirmed that 2 of the 3 victims abducted during the August 2 invasion, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom.
Onyia added that both rescued victims positively identified the arrested suspects as the individuals who abducted them during the church attack.
Onyia said, “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 stated that the state administration remains determined to deploy its security capabilities to thwart criminal operations and guarantee that perpetrators face justice.
Onyia noted, “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, and that was why we put the robust security architecture across the state, working in collaboration with the security forces to ensure that Enugu is uncomfortable for anybody that plans criminality, and you’re seeing that very clearly.”
He added, “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. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,”.
The SSG further cautioned residents against aiding or harboring criminal elements, warning that collaborators would face equal prosecution under the law.
Onyia stated, “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 stressed, “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. So wherever you are, we are still coming for you,”.
Onyia commended the joint operational team for their dedication, particularly recognizing the DSS, Army, Police, and Enugu State Forest Guard for their roles in safeguarding the state.
Onyia said, “We also want to very highly commend all the security agencies: the DSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard, the military services, others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,”.
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