Enugu Church Attack: DSS, Others Arrest Three Suspects, Recover Four AK-47 Rifles

Three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang allegedly responsible for the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested by security agencies.

The suspects were apprehended during a joint operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel.

One suspected kidnapper was killed during a gun battle with the security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang.

The development was disclosed on Monday night when Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects.

Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said two of the three victims abducted during the August 2 attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom.

He added that both victims had identified the arrested suspects as the men who allegedly abducted them.

“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,” Onyia said.

The SSG said the state government would continue to strengthen its security architecture to prevent criminal activities and ensure that offenders were brought to justice.

He warned criminal elements against operating in Enugu, stressing that security agencies would continue to pursue those involved in kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Onyia also warned residents against providing support or information to criminal groups, saying anyone found collaborating with them would face prosecution.

“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,” he said.

He stressed that investigations into the attack and the wider criminal network were still ongoing, warning those involved that they would be tracked down and prosecuted.

The SSG commended the security agencies involved in the operation, particularly the DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police and Enugu State Forest Guard, for their role in apprehending the suspects and recovering the weapons.