Security Forces Arrest Enugu Kidnap Suspects, Victims Released

Security forces in Enugu State have apprehended three individuals suspected of involvement in the August 2, 2026, attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inoyi-Affa, Udi LGA, and subsequent kidnappings. The joint operation, involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Army, Police, and Enugu State Forest Guard, also resulted in the recovery of ransoms paid.

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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 operation, one suspect was killed in a gunfight, while the other two were captured. Authorities recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, and 133 rounds of ammunition from the suspects' hideouts. The two remaining kidnap victims, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi, have been released and identified their abductors among the apprehended individuals.

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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, addressed the media during the parade of the criminals. He emphasized that the state government prioritizes security and invests heavily in its security architecture to prevent crime. "We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business," Mbah stated, vowing to pursue and bring criminals to justice.

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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.

The governor also warned locals who collude with criminal elements or act as informants, stating they will also be tracked down and prosecuted. He highlighted the effectiveness of the state's security strategy, which combines prevention with robust pursuit of offenders, ensuring that criminals cannot hide for long in Enugu.

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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.