By Isaac Mission
A Catholic seminarian and two other worshippers who were abducted by gunmen during a church service in Enugu State have regained their freedom.
The victims were taken away on Sunday morning when armed men reportedly stormed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inoyi, Affa, located in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The release was announced on Sunday by social media influencer Sen. Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, who said the victims were freed after security agencies and local authorities intensified efforts to locate their abductors.
Ugwuanyi credited the intervention of the Enugu State Government and security personnel with helping to secure the victims' release. He particularly commended Governor Peter Mbah, saying the sustained pressure placed on the kidnappers contributed to their decision to free the captives.
He disclosed that the Enugu State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the governor's aide-de-camp and the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Ogbonnia Agu, were among those involved in efforts to track the abductors.
In his announcement, Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude for the safe return of the victims, stating that continued pressure on the kidnappers eventually led to their release.
The victims were reportedly abducted alongside a catechist and another worshipper during the attack. The catechist was said to have been released shortly after the incident, while the seminarian and another victim were held for a longer period.
The latest development brings relief to the church community and relatives of those abducted.
However, as of the time of this report, the Enugu State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the release of the victims or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding their freedom.
