By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the abduction of a Catholic seminarian and another worshipper by armed kidnappers during Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The rights group described the attack on the church as a “despicable act of terrorism” against unarmed worshippers and called for an immediate and coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed while those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
The association warned that every passing hour increases the danger facing the abducted victims, stressing that the operation should be treated as a matter of urgent national importance.
HURIWA also challenged the Enugu State Government to prioritise practical security measures over what it described as public relations campaigns portraying the state’s security situation as being under control.
”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 group stated.
The association urged Governor Peter Mbah to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve surveillance in vulnerable communities and deepen collaboration with federal security agencies and local stakeholders to prevent further attacks.
HURIWA further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies while refraining from taking the law into their own hands.
The group expressed solidarity with the Catholic Church, the families of the victims and the people of Affa community, praying for the safe and immediate release of those abducted.
It warned that attacks on places of worship undermine public safety and threaten Nigerians’ constitutional right to practise their religion freely without fear.
HURIWA therefore called for the immediate and unconditional rescue of the abducted victims and urged both the Enugu State Government and security agencies to reassure residents through decisive action rather than official assurances.
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