Joint security operatives in Enugu State have rescued one of three persons abducted by suspected gunmen during an attack on a church in Affa Community, Udi Local Council, while efforts have been intensified to secure the release of the two remaining victims.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at a church located in Inoyi, Affa Community.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said a joint team comprising police operatives, Forest Guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group swiftly launched a rescue operation after the abduction.

According to the statement, the operatives closed in on the fleeing suspects, forcing them to abandon one of the victims, who was rescued unhurt. The assailants, however, escaped with the other two victims.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State,  Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Area Commander in Oji-River and the head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to intensify ongoing operations and deploy all available operational assets to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the suspects.

He also ordered the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to generate actionable human and technical intelligence to support the operation, while the surveillance and technical capabilities of the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre have been activated to strengthen the rescue efforts.

The commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the rescue operation, assuring them that every available resource was being deployed to rescue the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.