Enugu security forces arrest suspects over Aug. 2 Catholic church kidnapping

Security forces in Enugu State have arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the August 2 kidnapping at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area.The joint operation, involving the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard, and other agencies, also recovered ransom money reportedly paid to the kidnappers. Four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, and 133 rounds of ammunition were seized during the raid.One suspect was killed in a gun battle with operatives, while three others were arrested and paraded at the DSS headquarters in Enugu on Monday evening. The operation also secured the release of the two remaining victims Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi.Speaking during the parade, Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the suspects were tracked using the state’s technology-driven security infrastructure. He confirmed that the ransom used to secure the victims’ release was fully recovered and that the freed victims identified the arrested suspects as members of the gang.The governor commended the DSS, Army, Police, Forest Guard, and other agencies for their collaboration, pledging continued investment in security to protect lives and property across the state.

Security forces in Enugu State have arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the August 2, 2026, kidnapping at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of the state. The operation, conducted jointly by the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies, […] Security forces arrest kidnappers of Enugu Catholic seminarian, others [Photo]