Three suspected members of a kidnapping gang accused of attacking St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested in a joint security operation.
The suspects were captured by operatives of the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies following the August 2 incident.
One other suspected kidnapper was killed during a gun battle with the security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered.
The arrests were disclosed on Monday night when Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the suspects.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented the governor, said two of the three people abducted during the attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, had been freed.
According to Onyia, the two victims subsequently 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 can see; and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.
The SSG said the government had strengthened its security network across the state to frustrate criminal activities and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
“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.
Onyia also warned anyone providing assistance or information to criminal groups that they would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted.
“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.
He praised the security agencies for their role in the operation, singling out the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police and Enugu State Forest Guard for their efforts.Nigerian Culture Magazine
“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,” the SSG declared.
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