The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said the abduction of a Catholic seminarian and another worshipper during Sunday Mass in Enugu State underscores the persistent security challenges facing the state, urging Governor Peter Mbah to back official assurances with decisive action.
Reacting to the attack on St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area, the rights group described the invasion of a place of worship as a disturbing escalation of criminal activities and called for the immediate rescue of the victims.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the incident demonstrated that criminal gangs remain capable of striking even locations traditionally regarded as safe havens.
The organisation urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to mount a coordinated operation aimed at rescuing the abducted seminarian and the second victim while bringing the perpetrators to justice.
According to HURIWA, every moment the victims remain in captivity heightens the urgency for swift and intelligence-driven action by security agencies.
“The attack on innocent worshippers inside a church is a despicable act of terrorism and an assault on the constitutional right of Nigerians to practise their religion without fear,” the group stated.
HURIWA also challenged the Enugu State Government to strengthen its security response, arguing that public confidence would be restored only through visible improvements in safety rather than official assurances.
“It is no longer enough to issue reassuring statements while criminal elements continue to strike communities, highways and even churches. The safety of citizens must take precedence over propaganda,” the statement added.
The group urged Governor Mbah to intensify intelligence gathering, improve surveillance across vulnerable communities and strengthen collaboration with federal security agencies and local stakeholders to prevent future attacks.
It also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and volunteer credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to combating violent crime.
Expressing solidarity with the Catholic Church, the affected families and the people of Affa community, HURIWA prayed for the safe release of the abducted victims and maintained that only prompt action against the perpetrators would reassure residents that lives and places of worship are adequately protected.