Fresh Attack: Gunmen storm Kogi church, abduct pastor, wife, worshippers

The Kogi State Government has confirmed a fresh attack on a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted the pastor, his wife and several worshippers during an early-morning service on Sunday.

Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “very sad and unfortunate” in a statement issued in Lokoja. He said security agencies had already begun efforts to rescue the victims.

The gunmen reportedly struck at dawn, throwing the Ejiba community into panic as residents fled for safety.

Fanwo blamed the attack partly on a lack of vigilance, saying the assailants “must have been hiding in the community for some days or in bushes around the village.”

He added, “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?”

The commissioner faulted the decision to hold services in isolated, unsecured locations, noting that it comes just weeks after worshippers were kidnapped from a church in Kwara State.

“We all need to be security-conscious at this time. We also need to volunteer intelligence,” he said.

Fanwo explained that Ejiba has faced similar attacks in the past, yet some church leaders still encourage gatherings in vulnerable spots.

“It’s easy to blame the government, but those suffering in the hands of these incurable irredentists are our people. So why won’t we subscribe to wisdom?” he said.

He urged residents to avoid unprotected churches and mosques, stop unnecessary travel, and be discreet about their movements.

Fanwo assured that the state government and security agencies had taken “drastic measures” to ensure a safe rescue of the abducted worshippers.