Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has praised intelligence and security agencies for the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang linked to the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard and other security outfits. The operation reportedly resulted in a fierce gun battle, leading to the death of one suspected kidnapper, while security operatives recovered four AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition.

Governor Mbah conveyed his commendation on Monday night during a visit to the DSS headquarters in Enugu, where the arrested suspects were being held. He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

The governor also announced that two of the three victims abducted during the church attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom and had positively identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to public safety, Onyia said the state government would continue to make significant investments in security to safeguard lives and property across Enugu.

“There was one fatality during the operation, and it was one of the criminals who died while resisting arrest. Criminal elements rarely surrender without a fight, but our security personnel were prepared, and those apprehended will face the full weight of the law,” he stated.

He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance against criminality, warning that Enugu State would remain hostile terrain for kidnappers, armed gangs and other criminal elements.

“We made it clear from the outset that Enugu is not a safe haven for criminal activities. We have established a robust security architecture in collaboration with security agencies, and anyone who commits crimes in this state will be pursued and brought to justice,” he said.

According to him, the government has deliberately strengthened preventive security measures, while maintaining the capacity to track and apprehend offenders whenever breaches occur.

“You may run, but you cannot hide. Anyone who perpetrates crime in Enugu State will be found and prosecuted. There will be no escape route for criminals,” Onyia added.

The SSG also issued a stern warning to residents who collaborate with criminal groups or provide intelligence to them, stressing that such accomplices would face prosecution alongside the perpetrators.

He assured citizens that investigations were ongoing and vowed that all those involved in planning or executing criminal acts in the state would be tracked down.

Onyia concluded by applauding the professionalism and collaboration among security agencies, particularly the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard and other security services, for their efforts in maintaining peace and security across the state.