Security operatives in Enugu State have rescued a Catholic seminarian and one other worshipper, about one week after they were kidnapped.
The Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, announced the rescue of the kidnapped victims at the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) in Enugu on Monday evening.
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PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that suspected kidnappers invaded a Catholic Church in Enugu State and abducted the seminarian, Lawrence Chidera Igbo, and one other worshipper, Emmanuel Onwudi.
The incident occurred on 2 August when the attackers invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, in Affa, Udi Local Government Area of the state.
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Arrest and killing of suspects
While making the announcement, Mr Onyia, a professor, said apart from the rescue of the abducted victims, three suspected kidnappers were arrested, while one was shot dead during a shootout with security operatives.
The SSG said the SSS, the army, the police, and the Enugu State Forest Guard jointly conducted the operation.
He acknowledged that ransom was paid to the kidnappers, but it was deployed as a strategy which helped security operatives track down the criminals by deploying the state’s hi-tech security assets.
Mr Onyia said the ransom has been recovered from the kidnappers after the operation.
“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals who died in the process of apprehending them.
“Usually, criminal elements 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.
The SSG pointed out that the rescued victims had equally identified the arrested suspects as their abductors.
He said some arms, including AK-47 rifles, and seven ammunition magazines were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
Mr Onyia boasted that the Enugu State Government was ready to fight criminality head-on and warned criminals to leave the state.
“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, and that was why we put the robust security architecture across the state, working in collaboration with the security forces to ensure that Enugu is uncomfortable for anybody that plans criminality.
READ ALSO: Nigerian troops arrest kidnap commander, recover $1000, weapons
“We are intentional in investing in and organising our security architecture to prevent crime. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,” he said.
The SSG also warned residents who collude with criminals or serve as their informants, vowing to come after them as well.
“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,” he stressed.
Mr Onyia praised the security operatives for the success of the operation and rescue of the victims.
“We also want to very highly commend all the security agencies: the SSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian police, the Enugu State Forest Guard, the military services, and others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,” he added.
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