Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commended intelligence and security agencies for arresting three suspected members of a notorious kidnap gang linked to the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
A joint operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies led to a gun battle with the suspected kidnappers.
During the operation, one suspected member of the gang was neutralised, while security operatives recovered four AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition.
The Governor gave the commendation during a visit to the state DSS headquarters to see the arrested suspects.
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Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Mbah disclosed that two of the three victims abducted during the church attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom.
He further said that the victims had positively identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.
On behalf of the Governor, Onyia assured residents that the administration would continue to prioritise and invest in the security of lives and property across the state.
“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,” he revealed.
The SSG reiterated the state government’s determination to make Enugu inhospitable to criminal activities.
“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.
“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 said.
The SSG also warned residents against collaborating with criminal elements or acting as informants for criminal groups.
“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 stressed.
The SSG commended the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies for their cooperation and gallantry during the operation.
“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 and others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,” he concluded.
