Security forces in Enugu State have rescued a seminarian abducted during the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area, and arrested three suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate linked to the incident.
The joint operation, involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies, also led to the recovery of ransom money, four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from the suspects’ hideouts.
One member of the syndicate was killed during a gun duel with the security forces, while the arrested suspects are now in custody for further investigation and prosecution.
Speaking during the parade of the suspects at the DSS State Headquarters in Enugu on Monday evening, Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, confirmed the release of the remaining two victims of the August 2 attack — seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi.
Mbah said the security forces tracked the suspects using the state’s technology-driven security architecture and disclosed that the rescued victims had identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.
“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,” he said.
The governor said the successful operation demonstrated his administration’s determination to make Enugu inhospitable to criminal elements, particularly those involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“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,” Mbah said.
He stressed that the state government had deliberately invested in intelligence gathering, surveillance and other security capabilities to prevent attacks and track criminals whenever they strike.
“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 declared.
Mbah also warned residents who provide information or other forms of support to criminal gangs that they would be identified and prosecuted, stressing that investigations into the wider network were still ongoing.
“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 warned.
The governor commended the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies for their joint efforts in rescuing the victims, recovering the weapons and dismantling the kidnapping network.
“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,” he said.
