Gunmen on Sunday attacked a church service in Ejiba, a community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting several worshippers.
The attack reportedly occurred at a newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church.
Church members dispersed in fear as the assailants advanced, but the church leader, popularly known as Orlando, his wife and several others were taken away during the assault.
The incident triggered widespread panic as worshippers fled the church, adding to growing security concerns across parts of Kogi State.
The state government confirmed the Sunday’s attack on a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba in a statement in Lokoja.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who made the confirmation, condemned the attack.
Fanwo, who described the incident as very sad and unfortunate, assured that all the victims would be rescued.
“Those who struck at Ejiba must have been hiding in the community for some days or in bushes around the village.
“Some villagers would have seen them and kept quiet. If you refuse to raise alarms when you see strange faces at a time like this, who knows who will be victims of their madness?
“Worshipping in the bush without security in this era, just a few weeks after worshippers were abducted from a church in Kwara State, to me is not ideal.
“We all need to be security conscious at this time. We also need to volunteer intelligence,” he advised.
The commissioner said that the state government and the Yagba West Local Government Area have been working hard to combat criminality in the area, given its status as a border local government.
Only a day earlier, reports said another group of armed men attacked the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin route in Yagba East Local Government Area, forcing residents and travellers to flee to safety.
The exact number of people abducted on Sunday remains unclear, with further details still emerging.
The wave of attacks has heightened fear in neighbouring communities, prompting many residents to remain indoors, while commuters are diverting to avoid the troubled route.
