Fear and chaos erupted at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday after suspected kidnappers invaded the church during Mass and abducted a seminarian alongside several worshippers.
The terrifying attack reportedly happened as parishioners gathered for Sunday service amid a heavy downpour, sending frightened worshippers scampering for safety.
A viral video circulating online showed residents recounting how at least seven heavily armed men stormed the church premises and whisked away several victims, including a seminarian.
According to eyewitnesses, people heading to the church met worshippers running out in panic, screaming that gunmen had struck.
Angry villagers immediately organised a chase and pursued the kidnappers into the surrounding bush but were forced to retreat because the attackers carried sophisticated weapons while the residents were unarmed.
“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 lamented in the viral video.
The residents also decried the poor state of their local vigilante group, saying its members lack the weapons needed to confront heavily armed criminals.
They urged the government and security agencies to urgently beef up security in the area, warning that their communities have become easy targets for kidnappers.
Residents further disclosed that one of the abducted victims had returned to the village to bury his late father before he was seized during the church invasion.
As of press time, the Enugu State Police Command had remained silent on the brazen church invasion, with no official statement released on the abductions.
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