kogi Church
Gunmen invaded a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, early Sunday morning, abducting the pastor, his wife and several worshippers during a service.
The attack threw the quiet community into confusion as residents fled in panic, fearing further assaults. Witnesses said the armed men arrived at the church shortly after the service commenced and moved swiftly to seize their victims before escaping into nearby bushes.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, condemning the assault and assuring the public that security agencies were already on the trail of the attackers.
Fanwo suggested that the gunmen might have been in the area for days, warning residents against ignoring suspicious movements in their communities.
“Some residents may have seen strange faces and kept quiet,” he said. “At a time like this, failing to raise an alarm can endanger everyone.”
He also criticised the decision to hold worship services in remote, unsecured locations despite repeated warnings and recent attacks in neighbouring states.
Fanwo urged residents to heighten vigilance, report suspicious activities, and avoid unnecessary travel along high-risk routes.
“We all need to be security-conscious. Avoid attending worship centres without proper security, avoid needless journeys, and be discreet about your movements,” he advised.
He added that both the state government and local authorities in Yagba West had been working to strengthen security in border communities, noting that Ejiba had previously experienced similar attacks.
“It’s easy to blame the government, but those suffering in the hands of these irredentists are our people. Collective vigilance is crucial at this time.”
Fanwo disclosed that “drastic measures” had been activated to secure the release of the abducted worshippers and to prevent further attacks in the area.