Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have invaded a Catholic church in Enugu State, abducting a seminarian and a worshipper during Sunday service, while a third victim was later rescued by security operatives.
The attack occurred on Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, in Affa, Udi Local Government Area of the state.
According to witnesses, the seminarian had entered the church to conduct worship alongside other congregants when the armed assailants stormed the premises and abducted three people.
A resident of the community, identified simply as Christopher, said the kidnappers initially took away the seminarian, a catechist and another worshipper before releasing the catechist moments later.
“The kidnappers initially abducted the seminarian, catechist and another person in the church.
After moving with them for a short distance, they ordered the catechist to return and entered the bush with the remaining two victims,” he said.
The abducted seminarian was identified as Lawrence Chidera Igbo, while the second victim was identified simply as Emmanuel.
Residents said the attackers, believed to be seven in number and armed with AK-47 rifles, opened fire as community members and security personnel attempted to pursue them into the bush.
They appealed to the Enugu State Government to strengthen security in the area, saying repeated kidnapping incidents have left residents living in fear.
The Enugu State Police Command later confirmed the attack, stating that one of the three victims was rescued after a joint security team trailed the fleeing kidnappers.
Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said the rescue operation involved personnel of the police, the Forest Guard and members of the neighbourhood watch.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Bitrus Giwa, had directed the Area Commander in Oji-River and the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the attackers.
According to the police, surveillance assets and technical intelligence have been deployed to support the ongoing operation, while residents have been urged to remain calm and provide useful information that could aid the rescue mission.
