KEY POINTS

• Aliyu Mohammed, Usman Mohammed and Babuga Usman, with the latter reportedly killed during a security operation.
• Security forces recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 133 rounds of ammunition, $1,000 and ₦785,900 from a suspected gang hideout.
• All victims of the August 2 church attack were rescued alive, while authorities said ransom money used during the operation was later recovered.

Security agencies have uncovered the identities of three suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of worshippers during an attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Inoyi-Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The suspects were identified as Aliyu Mohammed, Usman Mohammed and Babuga Usman.

Babuga Usman was reportedly killed during a gun battle with security operatives, while Aliyu Mohammed and Usman Mohammed were arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The operation followed the August 2 attack on the Catholic church, during which worshippers were abducted.

Security forces recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition from a suspected hideout linked to the gang.

Items recovered included four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Security operatives also recovered $1,000 and ₦785,900, which were allegedly in the possession of the criminal syndicate.

The weapons were reportedly discovered in a hidden armoury located inside Umuchingu Ujenike Forest in Udi, following information obtained during the interrogation of an arrested suspect.

According to the Nigerian Army, an earlier operation had resulted in the death of one suspected gang member and the arrest of another.

Intelligence obtained from the arrested suspect subsequently enabled troops to track down the alleged commander of the syndicate.

Suspected Kingpin Arrested While Trying to Flee

The Army said troops intensified their search after receiving intelligence that the suspected commander was attempting to leave Enugu State.

Acting on the information, security operatives reportedly tracked and intercepted the suspect before arresting him.

The suspect subsequently led the troops to the gang’s concealed armoury in the forest, where the firearms, magazines and ammunition were recovered.

The military said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspected kingpin was connected to several high-profile kidnapping operations across the South-East and North-Central regions.

The arrests have also been linked to the successful rescue of the remaining victims of the August 2 church attack.

Among those rescued were seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi. The Enugu State Government said all the kidnapped worshippers were recovered alive and without injuries.

The victims reportedly identified the arrested suspects as members of the group responsible for their abduction.

The state government said security agencies prioritised the safe recovery of the victims throughout the operation.