Cosmas Chukwu
Panic erupted in Enugu State on Sunday after suspected terrorists invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa, Udi Local Government Area, abducting a seminarian and several worshippers during a Sunday Mass.
The attackers reportedly stormed the church while the service was in progress, disrupting worship and whisking away the victims into a nearby forest. Community sources said the kidnapped seminarian had returned to his hometown for the burial of his father before the attack occurred.
Residents said the gunmen escaped before local vigilantes could intercept them, leaving the community in shock as worshippers fled the church premises in fear.
The incident has heightened anxiety among residents already grappling with growing insecurity in parts of the state.
According to information shared by community members, one catechist who was initially taken by the attackers was later released, while efforts continue to locate and rescue the remaining captives.
Video circulating on social media showed distressed residents gathering near the church shortly after the attack, with one community member making an emotional appeal for urgent intervention from security agencies to rescue those still in captivity.
Locals lamented that vigilante groups were unable to pursue the attackers effectively because they were heavily armed, urging security authorities to deploy more personnel to the area to prevent further attacks on residents and places of worship.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over the wave of kidnappings and violent attacks affecting communities across parts of the South-East, with residents calling for stronger security measures to safeguard lives and property.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued an official statement on the incident, while search and rescue efforts by local volunteers and community members continued in surrounding forests.
The attack has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of religious institutions to armed violence, with residents expressing hope that the abducted seminarian and other worshippers would be rescued safely and reunited with their families.
The police is yet to issue any statements as people are beseeching Gov Peter Mbah to come to their aid.
