Suspected armed men have reportedly invaded St. Joseph Catholic Church in Affa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, abducting a seminarian and several worshippers during a Sunday service.
The incident is said to have occurred on the morning of Sunday, August 2, as worshippers gathered for church amid rainfall.
According to eyewitnesses in a video circulating online, panic erupted when at least seven heavily armed men stormed the church and forcibly whisked away some members of the congregation, including a seminarian.
Residents said some worshippers who were on their way to the church encountered people fleeing the premises, who informed them that the attackers had already abducted several victims.
Locals claimed they attempted to pursue the kidnappers into the surrounding area but were unable to confront them because the assailants were heavily armed while residents had no weapons.
They appealed to the government to strengthen security in the area, saying communities are increasingly vulnerable to attacks and lack the means to defend themselves.
The residents also expressed frustration that even local vigilante groups are not adequately equipped to respond to such incidents.
According to them, one of the abducted victims had recently returned to the community to bury his father before the attack occurred.
Authorities are yet to officially confirm the number of people abducted or provide further details on efforts to rescue the victims.
