In a Dramatic Firefight, One Kidnapper Killed and Two Abducted Seminarians Freed—State Warns Criminals: “Enugu Is Not Your Playground”
In a major breakthrough, security forces have arrested three suspected members of the brutal kidnapping gang that stormed St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Enugu on August 2—and recovered four AK-47 rifles in the process.
The joint operation—featuring the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, and Enugu State Forest Guard—erupted in a gun battle that left one suspect dead and three others in custody.
Two of the three abducted victims—Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi have regained their freedom and positively identified their captors among the arrested suspects, the state government confirmed Monday night.
“If criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business,” declared Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government, speaking on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah during a visit to the DSS headquarters.
“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.”
The SSG issued a chilling warning to anyone aiding criminals: “We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil syndicate. Wherever you are, we are still coming for you.”
With security forces on high alert and investigations ongoing, the message from Enugu is clear—the hunt is far from over.
