Enugu church attack: DSS, others arrest three suspects, recover four AK-47 rifles

Security forces in Enugu State, Nigeria, have apprehended three individuals suspected of belonging to a notorious kidnapping gang implicated in a recent attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The arrests followed a joint operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Police, and the Enugu State Forest Guard.

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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.

During the operation, a gun battle ensued, resulting in the death of one suspected kidnapper. Security forces successfully recovered four AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the gang. The breakthrough was revealed when Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah visited the DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, confirmed that two victims abducted during the August 2 church attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, have been safely released and identified the apprehended men as their captors.

Onyia emphasized the state government's unwavering commitment to eradicating criminal activities. He stated that Enugu will not be a conducive environment for criminals and that all offenders will be brought to justice. "If criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business," Onyia declared, highlighting the robust security architecture deployed across the state in collaboration with security forces.

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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.

The SSG further warned residents against aiding criminal groups, stressing that anyone found collaborating with them would face prosecution. "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 assured citizens that investigations are ongoing and the government will track down all involved parties to ensure they pay for their crimes.

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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.