Enugu Security Forces Arrest Kidnap Suspects, Recover Arms and Ransoms

Enugu State security forces have successfully apprehended three individuals responsible for the August 2 kidnapping incident at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Udi Local Government Area. The swift operation, involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Army, Police, and the Enugu State Forest Guard, also led to the recovery of significant arms and ammunition.

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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 could see; and they will face the full wrath of the law.

During the joint operation, security forces engaged in a gun duel with one of the suspects, resulting in the suspect's neutralization. The remaining three perpetrators were arrested, and from their hideouts, authorities recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, and 133 rounds of ammunition. Crucially, the ransoms paid for the release of the victims were also recovered.

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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.

Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, confirmed the release of the three victims: Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi. The governor assured citizens that his administration prioritizes and invests in security, vowing that criminals will face the full extent of the law. "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," he stated.

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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.

Governor Mbah also issued a stern warning to locals who collude with criminal elements or act as informants, stating that they too will be tracked down and prosecuted. He emphasized the state's robust security architecture and its commitment to making Enugu an uncomfortable place for anyone planning criminal activities, asserting, "You can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you."

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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.