Nigeria: Gunmen Invade Catholic Church, Abduct Three

What the report says

Gunmen suspected of being kidnappers invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday morning and abducted three people, according to witnesses quoted by Premium Times and carried by AllAfrica. The victims were identified in the report as a seminarian, Lawrence Chidera Igbo, a catechist and another worshipper named Emmanuel. Witnesses said the attackers later released the catechist, while the other two were taken into nearby bushland.

Residents told the newspaper that the assailants arrived while church activities were beginning and that some community members attempted to pursue them, but said they were outgunned. One witness described the attackers as armed and said police later joined local residents and community security groups in combing the area. The report also noted that the community has been affected by repeated kidnapping fears, prompting appeals for stronger protection and support for local vigilante efforts.

Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe later said a joint team of police, forest guards and neighbourhood watch members trailed the suspects and forced them to abandon one victim, who was rescued unharmed. He said two victims remained in captivity and that the police commissioner had ordered intensified operations to locate the attackers and secure their release. The incident highlights ongoing insecurity in parts of southeast Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has remained a persistent concern, though the article did not provide evidence of a motive beyond suspicion that the gunmen were kidnappers.