A rights organization, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has reported that 14 churches in Enugu State were attacked by armed jihadists between May 2021 and June 2025, resulting in the deaths of 117 worshippers.
The attacks occurred primarily in Eha‑Amufu, Isiuzo Local Government Area, and involved 12 Anglican and 2 Catholic churches. Recovered bodies were reportedly buried locally.
According to the report, the incidents include Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Mgbuji (May 2021), which claimed 25 lives; St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ogbete (January 2022), with 40 casualties; St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Ngene Aguiyi (January 2022), with 4 casualties; St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Mgbede (January 2022), which recorded no casualties; St. Michael and All Angels Church, Okpurigwu (January 2022), with 2 casualties; and Christ Church, Onumgba (January 2022).
Other affected churches listed were Anglican Church, Obodoudo (January 2022) with 5 casualties; Anglican Church, Okpokwu‑Agumede (January 2022) with 4 casualties; Church of Advent, Ememamanu (January 2023) with 1 casualty; All Saints Anglican Church, Onicha‑Ebia (March 2024) with 1 casualty; Christ Anglican Church, Amaofia (May 2024) with 4 casualties; Victory Anglican Church, Iyiasa (June 2025) with 2 casualties; Our Saviour’s Iyi‑Asaa (June 2025) claiming 9 casualties; and St. Paul’s Ikpakpara (June 2025), which claimed 20 lives.
The report, signed by Intersociety Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi and a team of human rights lawyers, noted that most residents fled their communities between May 2021 and December 2024. Church services only resumed in 2025 under heavy security, with many parishes remaining shut and deserted.
Intersociety warned that the South‑East region is increasingly under threat from jihadist Fulani militants, who are allegedly occupying at least 950 forest locations across 800 of the region’s 1,940 autonomous communities.
The group criticized the five South‑East governors for denying the presence of armed herders in the forests and said its data shows a dangerous infiltration and saturation of militants in the region, posing severe security risks to local communities and religious institutions.
In September, the Enugu State Police Command said it had arrested 5,176 suspected criminals, including kidnappers, murderers, armed robbers, cultists, and other offenders, in a sustained crackdown on crime across the state.
State Commissioner of Police, Mamam Bitrus Giwa, disclosed during a press conference in Enugu that the operations took place within a period of six months, between March 11 and September 11, 2025, since he assumed office as the 24th Commissioner of Police in the state.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended at different times and locations through intelligence-led policing, raids on criminal hideouts, stop-and-search duties, and tactical surveillance.
He revealed that 113 kidnapped victims were rescued during the same period, with many of them already reunited with their families.
“We have remained relentless in our pursuit of criminals and in ensuring that Enugu State continues to be safe for residents, investors, and visitors,” Giwa stated.
