Three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of worshippers at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested by security operatives.
The suspects were picked up during a coordinated operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel.
The operation, however, resulted in the death of another suspected member of the gang following a gun duel with the security forces.
Four AK-47 rifles alongside ammunition were also recovered from the suspects, according to the authorities.
The arrests were disclosed on Monday night when the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who represented Governor Peter Mbah, visited the DSS headquarters to see the suspects.
Onyia said two of the three persons taken away during the August 2 church attack had since been released.
The victims, identified as Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, were said to have positively identified the arrested suspects as those involved in 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 declared.
The SSG said the state government would continue to strengthen its security network and collaborate with security agencies to check criminal activities across the state.
“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.
Onyia also issued a warning to residents suspected of assisting criminal elements, saying the government would not spare anyone found providing support to kidnapping networks.
“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.
The government representative praised the security agencies involved in the operation, noting that their joint efforts had contributed to the breakthrough.
“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 August 2 incident at the Catholic church had led to the abduction of three people and triggered intensified security operations in the community.
Authorities said investigations would continue as efforts were made to establish the wider activities of the suspected gang and identify other persons who may have been involved.
