By Dr. Onyedikachi Stanley Onovo
Acting Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Enugu State Chapter
It is no longer news that on Sunday, August 2, 2026, a gang of kidnappers launched a brazen attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, abducting a seminarian and two others in a shocking violation of sacred space.
Reports confirmed that while one victim was eventually released, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi were dragged into the kidnappers’ den, leaving the community in anguish.
As the news broke, it spread like wildfire across all platforms, igniting a storm of narratives. Some accounts were drenched in sympathy and raw emotion, understandable reactions to such a heinous crime. Disturbingly, others resembled a morbid celebration, as though certain elements had been lying in wait for an opportunity to tear holes in the government’s security credentials.
Without equivocation, the Enugu State Government has made monumental investments in security infrastructure across the State, and these are not mere rhetoric; they are tangible, verifiable realities.
The Command and Control Center, the sprawling network of CCTV cameras, surveillance drones, Forest Guards, the Distress Response Squad, and the recently commissioned Center for DNA Forensics and Criminal Investigation stand as irrefutable testaments to the administration’s commitment to eradicating crime and criminality.
Governor Peter Mbah has consistently maintained that because crimes mutate, security infrastructure must similarly evolve to stay ahead of the criminal element.
His words at the commissioning of the Center for DNA and Forensics still reverberate with chilling clarity: “Every crime leaves a trace. In Enugu State, criminals can run, but they cannot hide.”
Yesterday, August 10, 2026, barely one week after the harrowing abduction of Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi during Sunday worship, reports came in that the kidnappers had been apprehended and the victims freed.
Unharmed. Rescued. Restored.
This development is not merely a success; it is a resounding triumph that speaks volumes about the Enugu State Government’s resolve and the security agencies’ dedication to making the State a truly livable haven for all.
Representing Governor Mbah, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, revealed that the State’s hi-tech security machinery was massively deployed, leading to the arrest of the criminals, the successful rescue of the victims, and the complete recovery of the ransom paid.
According to Prof. Onyia:
“We are intentionally investing in and organizing our security architecture to prevent crime. But if there is a breach, you can run, but you cannot hide for long. We must get you. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it.”
Sadly, I have patiently waited for this good news to generate the kind of fervent reaction that the unfortunate kidnap incident provoked. Instead, some social media users have cynically questioned the authenticity of the arrest and rescue story.
This development leaves me utterly bewildered.
Why is it so difficult for the populace to believe government across all tiers? Why do people appear almost gleefully excited about negative stories concerning government, yet seemingly deflated or sceptical when confronted with positive developments?
This selective outrage is deeply troubling.
THE COMMUNICATION GAP
My observations have led me to an inescapable conclusion: the interface between the public and government information managers remains severely strained. One can palpably feel the tension when government narratives are disseminated, particularly on social media platforms.
The trust deficit is real, and it must be addressed with urgency.
I submit that government’s information managers must be professional and be seen to be professional in their approach. They must embody empathy and informativeness in their responses to public criticism. They must never attack, regardless of the missiles fired in their direction.
Information management is both an art and an act. It demands schooling, discipline and strategic thinking.
Regardless of the attacks, professionals must extract the substantive issues embedded within the criticism and respond to them while ignoring the insults. That is the hallmark of true professionalism.
In public relations, practitioners must insulate themselves from the rain of insults and remain laser-focused on the issues. This approach not only disarms critics but also positions the professional to win over the hearts and minds of the public.
By refusing to be dragged into the gutter of distraction, you set your own agenda and dictate the terms of discourse. Your narrative becomes predominant.
That is information management. That is professional public relations.
The managers of the State’s information systems need to adopt this approach so as to change the narratives.
Commendations are due to His Excellency, Barr. Peter Mbah, and his administration for their consistent, dogged approach to security matters in the State. The security agencies are equally appreciated for giving flesh to the dreams, plans and programmes of the State Government, turning vision into reality.
The public is earnestly encouraged to look beyond the peripheral, to decipher the thin lines between politics, propaganda, genuine development and demarketing.
In a season of misinformation, discernment is not just a virtue; it is a survival tool.
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