Law enforcement apprehends perpetrators behind Enugu kidnappings, hostages freed

Security forces in Enugu State have successfully apprehended three perpetrators of the August 2, 2026 kidnap attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi LGA, Enugu State, and also recovered ransoms during the operations.

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This development came after a joint operation by the Department of State Services, the Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard, and others, which resulted in the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from the hideouts of the kidnapping syndicate.

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One of the kidnap suspects was neutralised in a gun duel during the operation, according to Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, during the parade of the criminals at the state headquarters of the DSS in Enugu Monday evening.

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The remaining two of the three victims of the August 2 attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi, had also regained their freedom, with the ransom deployed as a strategy fully recovered, thanks to the state’s hi-tech security assets.

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Governor Mbah hailed the DSS, Army, Police, Forest Guards and other security agencies in the state, noting that the victims had equally identified the apprehended criminals as their abductors.

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The governor assured the people that his administration would continue to prioritise and invest in the security of their lives and properties, stressing that there was one fatality in the process of apprehending the criminals.

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He warned that criminal elements would not be tolerated in Enugu State, saying "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."

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He also stated that the state's security architecture was designed to prevent crime, but if a breach occurred, perpetrators would be pursued and brought to justice, as "You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it."

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Locals who collude with criminal elements or serve as their informants were also warned, with Governor Mbah vowing to come after them and prosecute them as part of the evil operation and syndicate.

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He stressed that investigation was ongoing and that the government would track down those involved in planning havoc on citizens, saying "Wherever you are, know that investigation is ongoing and that this government will track you down, and you will pay for your crimes."

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Governor Mbah paid special tributes to the security forces for their cooperation and gallantry, commending all the security agencies, including the DSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard, and others, for their instrumental role in the operation.