Three suspects linked to the attack on St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Enugu have been arrested by security operatives, with four AK-47 rifles recovered. One suspect was killed during a shootout, and two abducted victims have regained their freedom.
Joint Operation Leads to Arrests
The suspects were picked up during a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard, and other security agencies. The church came under attack on August 2, with gunmen abducting three people, including a seminarian.
During the operation, one suspected kidnapper was killed after engaging security operatives in a gun battle. Security operatives also recovered four AK-47 rifles and rounds of ammunition.
Victims Freed and Identify Suspects
The arrests were made public on Monday night after Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, visited the DSS headquarters to inspect the suspects.
Onyia confirmed that two of the abducted victims — Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi — have regained their freedom. According to him, both victims identified the arrested men as those responsible for their abduction.
Government Vows to Prosecute Criminals
"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 declared.
He said the state government remains committed to making Enugu a hostile environment for criminals through sustained investment in security and collaboration with security agencies.
"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."
"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," he said.
Warning to Collaborators
The SSG also warned residents against aiding kidnappers or supplying information to criminal groups, saying anyone found working with them would also be 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. 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," he stressed.
He also praised the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel for the successful operation.
"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," the SSG declared.
The latest arrests come as security agencies continue investigations to track down other members of the kidnapping syndicate believed to have taken part in the church attack.
