Security operatives have arrested three suspects linked to the abduction of three people, including a seminarian, during morning Mass at St Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, in Affa community, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The victims were kidnapped on August 2, prompting a joint operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guards and other security agencies.
One of the suspects was killed during a gun duel with the operatives, while two others were arrested.
The operation also led to the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from hideouts allegedly used by the kidnapping syndicate.
Speaking during the parade of the suspects at the DSS headquarters in Enugu on Monday, Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, who represented Governor Peter Mbah, said the two remaining victims — seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi — had regained their freedom.
Mbah said the ransom paid to the kidnappers was fully recovered, adding that security operatives used hi-tech security assets to track the suspects.
He also said the rescued victims had identified the arrested suspects as those responsible for their abduction.
“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them,” Mbah said.
The governor warned criminals against operating in Enugu, saying the state’s security architecture had been strengthened to prevent and respond to attacks.
He also warned residents who assist criminal elements or provide them with information, saying they would be tracked and prosecuted.
Mbah said investigations into the activities of the syndicate were ongoing and vowed that anyone involved in attacks on residents would face justice.
He commended the DSS, Army, police, forest guards and other security agencies for their cooperation and roles in securing the release of the victims.
