Panic gripped worshippers at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday morning after suspected armed kidnappers reportedly invaded the church and abducted a seminarian and several other worshippers.

The attack occurred as parishioners gathered for Mass amid a downpour, residents said, throwing the community into confusion as frightened worshippers fled for safety.

In a video circulating online, residents said the attackers, believed to number at least seven, stormed the church and took away several worshippers, including a seminarian.

Villagers Say They Lacked Weapons to Pursue Attackers

According to residents, those arriving for Mass encountered worshippers running out of the premises and raising the alarm over the attack.

Villagers said they mobilised quickly and pursued the kidnappers into the surrounding area but could not confront them, since the attackers were heavily armed while the community had no weapons of its own.

“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 said in the video.

Residents also said members of the local vigilante group lack the weapons needed to confront armed criminals, leaving the community vulnerable during such attacks.

They appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene urgently and strengthen security in the area.

According to residents, one of the victims had reportedly returned home to bury his late father before he was abducted during the church attack.

As of the time of filing, the Enugu State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.