Panic erupted at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday after suspected armed kidnappers invaded the church during Mass and abducted a seminarian along with several worshippers.
The attackers reportedly struck while parishioners had gathered for the morning service amid a heavy downpour, sending frightened worshippers fleeing in different directions.
A video circulating on social media captured residents recounting how at least seven armed men stormed the church premises and whisked away several people, including a seminarian.
According to eyewitnesses, worshippers who were still on their way to the church encountered others running out of the premises and raising the alarm over the attack.
Residents said they quickly mobilised and pursued the kidnappers into the surrounding bush but were unable to engage them because the assailants were heavily armed, while members of the community had no weapons.
“We are ready to defend our community and even go into the bush after these criminals, but how do we do that without arms?” one resident said in the viral video.
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The residents also lamented that members of the local vigilante group lacked the equipment and firepower needed to confront heavily armed criminals.
They appealed to the government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security in the area, warning that communities have become increasingly vulnerable to attacks by kidnappers.
According to the residents, one of the victims had returned home to bury his late father before he was abducted during the church attack.
As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
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