The police claimed that security operatives have rescued one victim while efforts to secure the release of two others still in captivity has been intensified.
The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the invasion of a Catholic church in Udi Local Government Area by armed kidnappers, who abducted worshippers during an early morning church service.
The police claimed that security operatives have rescued one victim while efforts to secure the release of two others still in captivity has been intensified.
The command disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday evening through the Command’s spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe, that the attack occurred within the premises of ‘St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa Community’, where the gunmen allegedly stormed the church and whisked away three persons before fleeing into a nearby forest.
According to the police, a joint security operation involving operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group was immediately launched, leading to the rescue of one of the abductees after the kidnappers abandoned the victim while being pursued.
However, the assailants escaped with two other victims.
Earlier reports circulating on social media had indicated that the attackers invaded the church during Mass and abducted a seminarian, a catechist and another worshipper.
Outrage As Gunmen Invade Enugu Catholic Church, Kidnap Seminarian, Catechist, Three Worshippers
Aug 02, 2026
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Outrage As Gunmen Invade Enugu Catholic Church, Kidnap Seminarian, Catechist, Three Worshippers
Popular social media influencer, Sen Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, in a Facebook post, had alleged that the seminarian had come to celebrate Mass when the gunmen struck.
According to him, the kidnappers later released the catechist but fled with the seminarian and another worshipper.
The police, however, did not identify the victims by name but confirmed that three persons were abducted from the church premises and that one had been rescued.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ndukwe, said, “A joint security team comprising Police operatives, Forest Guards, and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group has intensified operations and is on the trail of armed men alleged to have abducted three persons within the precinct of a church at Inoyi, Affa Community, Udi Local Government Area, in the early hours of today, August 2, 2026.”
He added that security operatives nearly intercepted the fleeing kidnappers.
“The operatives, while closing in on the fleeing suspects, forced them to abandon one of the victims, who was immediately rescued unhurt. The assailants, however, escaped with the remaining two victims,” Ndukwe stated.
The police said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had ordered an aggressive manhunt for the kidnappers and directed tactical commanders to deploy all available resources to rescue the remaining victims.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Area Commander, Oji-River, and the Head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to further intensify ongoing operations and deploy all available operational assets to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of the suspects,” the statement said.
The commissioner also ordered the State Intelligence Department to generate actionable intelligence to aid the operation while activating the surveillance and technical capabilities of the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre to support the rescue efforts.
The police appealed to residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the kidnappers and the rescue of the remaining victims.
The latest attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Enugu State, where incidents of kidnapping have continued despite intensified security operations by law enforcement agencies.
The invasion of a place of worship has also raised fresh fears among residents over the increasing boldness of criminal gangs operating in communities across the state.
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