Church Under Siege: Fresh Abductions Deepen Kogi’s Security Fears
By SANI BATURE
GUNMEN suspected to be terrorists on Sunday abducted more than 15 worshippers after attacking the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The attackers reportedly stormed the church during a worship service, firing shots to create panic and confusion.
Sources in the community said the assailants arrived while prayers were ongoing, causing many worshippers to flee, while others were captured and forced into nearby bushes. The sudden attack plunged the quiet town into fear, with residents scampering for safety as gunshots echoed through the area.
One person, identified simply as Jay, was reportedly shot dead during the incident, while several worshippers were abducted. Local accounts suggest the number of those taken could exceed 15, although authorities are yet to confirm the figure.
The incident has renewed fears about deteriorating security in Kogi State, particularly in Okun land, where attacks on religious centres have become increasingly frequent. Just weeks earlier, on November 30, armed men abducted a pastor and about 13 worshippers from a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
In that attack, the abductors were said to have demanded hundreds of millions of naira in ransom and threatened harm if their demands were not met within a specified timeframe. Residents also recalled a recent assault on a school in Ayetoro Kiri, which was thwarted by local vigilantes.
As of the time of reporting, the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the church attack, despite repeated attempts to reach its spokesperson.
