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Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has vowed that the state will remain hostile to kidnappers and their collaborators following the arrest of three suspects linked to the August 2 abduction at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area, and the rescue of the remaining two victims.
The breakthrough, achieved through a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army, also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 133 rounds of ammunition and ransom. One of the kidnappers was killed during a gun duel, while the three arrested suspects were paraded at the DSS headquarters in Enugu yesterday.
The victims, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, who were among those abducted in the attack, have regained their freedom. The governor, represented at the parade by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said the victims had identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.
Mbah said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture and the use of technology in tracking criminal networks.
He said the state deployed its hi-tech security assets, alongside the security agencies, to track the kidnappers.
“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them. Usually, people 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.
Mbah warned criminals that Enugu would not provide a safe haven for criminal activities, saying the government had deliberately strengthened security across the state.
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“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,” he said.
The governor added: “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 also warned residents collaborating with criminal gangs as informants or facilitators that security agencies would track them down and prosecute them.
“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,” Mbah said.
He assured residents that the investigation remained ongoing and that other persons connected to the kidnapping syndicate would be pursued.
The governor commended the DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guards and other security agencies for their cooperation in 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, others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,” he said.
