Gunmen Invade Catholic Church in Enugu, Abduct Seminarian, Worshippers

By Ichie Times News Desk

Suspected gunmen on Sunday invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, abducting a seminarian and other worshippers during a church service.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the church while parishioners were gathering for Mass amid rainfall, causing panic as worshippers fled the premises.

Residents said at least seven armed men carried out the attack before escaping with several victims, including a seminarian and an indigene of the community who had reportedly returned home for his father’s burial.

Local youths reportedly pursued the kidnappers into nearby bushes but were unable to rescue the victims because the attackers were heavily armed.

Community members expressed frustration over the worsening insecurity, saying they were willing to defend their communities but lacked the necessary equipment to confront armed criminals.

They also lamented that local vigilante groups are not adequately armed to respond effectively to such attacks.

The residents appealed to the Federal and Enugu State Governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen security in the area and take urgent steps to rescue the abducted victims.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident, while efforts to rescue the victims were reportedly ongoing.