Fulani Terrorists Abduct Seminarian, 2 Others During Catholic Church Mass in Enugu 

Residents Abandon 16 Villages Due to Fulani Gang Attacks 

By Ebere Inyama

(Udi – Enugu State) Heavily armed gunmen suspected to be members of the Fulani tribe invaded St. Joseph’s Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi County of Enugu State in southeastern Nigeria on Sunday, August 2, 2026 and abducted three people.

The attackers, numbering at least six men, stormed the church at about 8:30 a.m, interrupting the liturgical celebration and abducted a seminarian, Lawrence Chidera Igbo and two other worshippers before fleeing into a nearby forest.

The assault, which took place during a heavy downpour, threw the community into panic, as terrified worshippers fled the church in search of safety while the attackers fired gunshots in the air.

Catholic church reacts

Confirming the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu described the attack as deeply disturbing.

“The unfortunate incident occurred when armed men invaded the church premises and abducted one of our seminarians alongside two other persons,” the diocese said in a statement.

“We ask all the faithful and people of goodwill to pray for their safe and unconditional release,” the statement added.

Eyewitness narrates incident

In a video circulating online, one of the victims who gave his name as Ononogbo Johnmary, said the attackers abducted him alongside 2 other victims, and marched them from the church premises to a nearby primary school from where they moved into the forest. He spoke in Igbo language.

“The kidnappers were armed with automatic rifles and machetes,” Johnmary said in the video.

“They ordered us to walk from the church to Nobi primary school, from where they marched us into the forest while they shot sporadically in the air’, he continued.

“Initially, they took three of us, myself, the seminarian and one of our brothers, whose name is Emmanuel.

“Three of the kidnappers led the way, while we followed and another three walked closely behind us.

 “As we walked deep into the forest, the three men trailing behind us overtook me and ordered me to go back, while they moved on with the seminarian and Mr. Emmanuel,” Johnmary added.

The incident sparked outrage in the community. Locals complained that they were unable to rescue the victims because they were outgunned by the assailants, according to residents of the community who spoke to TruthNigeria.

The residents said local youths attempted to pursue the kidnappers into the bush but were forced to retreat due to heavy gunfire from the attackers.

Police Confirm the Abduction 

In a statement on August 2, 2026, the Enugu State Police Command confirmed the abduction of two persons at St. Joseph’s Church in Inoyi, Affa, in Udi district of Enugu State. 

“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”, the statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, read.

“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,” the statement added.

Attacks by Fulani Terrorists Spreading in Enugu

For 90 days, armed Fulani terrorists have sustained attacks on residents in the rural areas of Enugu state.

Residents in Ezeagu county have reportedly fled from their homes as a result of repeated attacks by the Fulani Ethnic Militia and frequent harassment by Nigerian soldiers, according to a recent report by TruthNigeria.

In Isi – Uzo  County, no fewer than 16 villages and farm settlements have been deserted following repeated violent attacks on the residents by armed Fulani herders, according to the victims who spoke in a viral video shared online in July, 2026 by a religious rights activist, Evangelist Joseph Ebube

These incidents add to growing concerns over attacks on Christians and places of worship across Nigeria. Catholic leaders have repeatedly called on governments at all levels to strengthen security and to protect religious communities from kidnappers and other criminal groups in Nigeria.

Ebere Inyama reports on conflict for TruthNigeria.

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