Aug 2, 2026

Enugu Residents Plead With Governor Mbah After Gunmen Abduct Seminarian From Church Mass

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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In the quiet community of Affa in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, the solemn peace of a Sunday morning Mass was shattered when armed gunmen stormed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi and abducted worshippers, including a seminarian.

Residents have now turned to Governor Peter Mbah with emotional appeals for urgent intervention as security operatives intensify the search for those still held captive.

According to eyewitness accounts and police confirmation, the attackers — believed to number at least seven and armed with sophisticated weapons — invaded the church premises during the morning service.

They abducted a seminarian who had come to conduct the Mass, a catechist, and at least one other worshipper. Panic erupted as congregants fled in fear amid the chaos, with some reports noting the incident unfolded during rainfall.

Local youths quickly mobilized and pursued the attackers into nearby bushes but were forced to exercise caution due to the gunmen’s superior firepower.

One of the victims, identified in some reports as the catechist, was later released or abandoned by the fleeing suspects and rescued unhurt by a joint team of police operatives, Forest Guards, and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group.

The remaining two victims, including the seminarian, were still in captivity as operations continued.

In videos circulating online, distressed residents of Affa made direct and heartfelt pleas to Governor Peter Mbah.

“We are pleading with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to help rescue the kidnapped victims,” they said, expressing deep anxiety over the safety of their loved ones and calling for stronger security around communities and places of worship.

Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the incident. He stated that Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa had ordered the Area Commander in Oji River and the Violent Crime Response Unit to deploy all available resources.

The State Intelligence Department was also directed to generate actionable intelligence while technical surveillance capabilities were activated to support the rescue effort.

The attack has left the community in a state of frenzy and renewed concerns about the growing threat of kidnapping in parts of Enugu State.

Residents lamented that local vigilantes often face heavily armed criminals with limited resources, underscoring the need for more robust government support.

Families of the abducted remain in anxious waiting as security teams comb the area.

This latest incident adds to a troubling pattern of attacks on soft targets, including religious centres, across several Nigerian states.

For the people of Affa, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their community members.

As joint security operations continue, the voices of ordinary residents — pleading for protection and decisive action — serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of insecurity and the urgent need for lasting solutions.

Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and share credible information that could aid the ongoing efforts. The situation remains fluid, with hopes pinned on a successful rescue and the eventual restoration of peace to the community.