Three suspects have been arrested over the abduction of some members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Enugu State Government says the hostages have regained their freedom, while a fourth suspected kidnapper was killed during an exchange of gunfire with security forces.
The suspects were paraded before journalists at the Enugu State headquarters of the Department of State Services following their arrest on Monday.
They are accused of involvement in the August 2, 2026, abduction of members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area.
Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, told journalists that three suspects were taken into custody, while a fourth was killed during a gun battle with joint security forces.
He said marked ransom money, which security operatives used as bait during the operation, was recovered in full.
According to the state government, the rescued victims subsequently identified the three suspects as those responsible for their abduction.
The authorities say the operation involved the state’s security infrastructure, including its command and control system, surveillance cameras, drones, and other technology deployed to track criminal activity.
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