By Stephen Simon
Security forces in Enugu State have arrested three suspected members of a kidnapping gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of worshippers at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Affa, in the Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested following a coordinated operation by security agencies after the August 2 attack on the church, during which three people, including a Catholic seminarian, were abducted.
The operation reportedly involved the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and other security agencies. Four AK-47 rifles, ammunition and other items were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
The Enugu State Government said the operation was facilitated by intelligence gathered after ransom was paid for the release of the victims. According to the government, the payment was used as a bait to track the kidnappers and establish their location.
The victims were subsequently released, while security operatives moved against the suspected members of the gang allegedly responsible for the attack.
The arrests were welcomed by the Enugu State Government, which commended the security agencies for what it described as a coordinated and intelligence-driven operation.
The incident had generated concern in the state, particularly because the attackers targeted a place of worship. The latest arrests are therefore expected to provide investigators with useful leads on the activities and structure of the kidnapping network operating in the area.
Security agencies are continuing their investigation, with the arrested suspects expected to assist authorities in identifying other members of the gang and determining their involvement in other kidnapping operations.
The development comes amid renewed security operations across the country aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, recovering illegal firearms and rescuing victims before criminal groups can further strengthen their operations.
