Security operatives rescue kidnapped Catholic seminarian, one other worshipper

Security operatives in Enugu State have successfully rescued a Catholic seminarian and a worshipper who were kidnapped approximately one week ago. The announcement was made by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, at the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Enugu.

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There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals who died in the process of apprehending them.

The victims, seminarian Lawrence Chidera Igbo and worshipper Emmanuel Onwudi, were abducted on August 2, 2024, when suspected kidnappers stormed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa, Udi Local Government Area. The joint operation involved the SSS, army, police, and the Enugu State Forest Guard.

During the operation, three suspected kidnappers were apprehended, and one was killed in a shootout with security forces. SSG Onyia confirmed that ransom was paid, but described it as a strategic deployment that enabled security operatives to track the criminals using the state's advanced security assets. The recovered ransom was subsequently retrieved from the suspects.

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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.

Onyia emphasized the state government's firm stance against criminality, warning that Enugu State will not be a conducive environment for criminal activities. He assured that the government is intentionally investing in and organizing its security architecture to prevent crime and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. He also extended a warning to residents who collude with or inform for criminals, stating they will also face prosecution.

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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.