ENUGU, Nigeria — Panic gripped residents of Inoyi community in Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday after suspected terrorists invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church during a Sunday Mass, abducting a seminarian and several worshippers.
According to community sources and police reports, the attackers stormed the church at about 8:30 a.m. while the service was underway, causing worshippers to flee in panic before forcing their victims into a nearby forest .
The kidnapped seminarian, identified as Lawrence Chidera Igbo, was reportedly in his hometown for the burial of his father when the attack occurred . One of the other abducted worshippers was identified simply as Emmanuel .
Residents said the assailants, believed to be at least seven in number and armed with AK-47 rifles, escaped before local vigilante groups could intercept them . A resident who witnessed the attack told PREMIUM TIMES: “We retreated because we had no weapons. Should we pursue armed kidnappers empty-handed?”
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the incident, with Police Public Relations Officer Daniel Ndukwe stating that a joint security team comprising police operatives, forest guards, and members of the neighbourhood watch group had launched an operation to rescue the victims and apprehend the attackers .
The operatives, while pursuing the fleeing gunmen, forced them to abandon one of the victims – a catechist – who was rescued unharmed . The assailants, however, escaped with the remaining two victims: the seminarian and another worshipper .
Commissioner of Police Bitrus Giwa has ordered the Area Commander, Oji-River, and the Head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to intensify ongoing operations to track the attackers and rescue the victims .
“Every available resource is being deployed to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the police spokesperson said .
A video circulating on social media after the incident showed distressed residents gathered near the church, with one community member making an emotional appeal for urgent intervention by security agencies.
“Our seminarian and others were kidnapped this morning. We need help,” the resident said in the video, calling on authorities to rescue those still being held.
Residents lamented that vigilante groups were unable to pursue the attackers because they were heavily armed, urging security agencies to deploy more personnel to the community . One resident appealed to Governor Peter Mbah: “We have able-bodied youths and even vigilante members, but they need to be equipped to work. We are begging Peter Mbah to help us” .
The incident has renewed concerns over the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks affecting communities across Nigeria’s South-East region, with residents calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.
The police have urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security forces with credible information, providing emergency lines: 08032003702, 08086671202, and 112 .
Residents expressed hope that the abducted seminarian and the other worshipper would be rescued safely and reunited with their families.
