Abuja: Armed men stormed a Catholic church during Sunday Mass in southeastern Nigeria, abducting three people and spreading panic among worshippers. One of those kidnapped has since escaped, while two others remain in captivity as security forces continue search operations.
The attack took place on August 2 at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Afa, Inoyi, in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. According to reports, seven armed men entered the church at around 8.30 am while the Eucharistic celebration was in progress. The gunmen disrupted the service, terrorised the congregation and forced three people to accompany them. Heavy rain was falling when the incident occurred.
The abducted victims were identified as a seminarian, a catechist and a parishioner. Worshippers fled the church in fear as the attackers fired threats and created panic. Some members of the congregation attempted to pursue the kidnappers, but abandoned the effort because the gunmen were heavily armed and any confrontation could have endangered the lives of the hostages.
According to Agenzia Fides, the Vatican's Pontifical Mission Societies news agency, police later confirmed that one of the kidnapped victims managed to escape during search operations. The person who regained freedom was the catechist who had been taken from the church.
The two people still being held are seminarian Lawrence Chidera Igbo and a parishioner identified as Emmanuel. Police said efforts are continuing to rescue them safely and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
Kidnappings have become a major security challenge across Nigeria, with armed criminal groups frequently targeting civilians, clergy and church workers to demand ransom payments. In recent years, churches, schools and communities have increasingly been affected by such attacks.
Over the past decade, hundreds of Christians, including priests, seminarians and other Church personnel, have been kidnapped in different parts of Nigeria. While many have eventually been released, often after ransom negotiations, others have remained in captivity or lost their lives.
The latest attack has once again raised concerns over the safety of places of worship in Nigeria, as Church leaders and local communities continue to call for stronger security measures to protect worshippers and prevent further attacks. Police have urged the public to cooperate with ongoing investigations while rescue efforts for the remaining hostages continue.