Gunmen attack another Kogi church, abduct Pastor, wife during service

Gunmen have attacked a church in Kogi state, kidnapping a pastor, his wife, and several congregants during an early Sunday service.

The incident occurred at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba west LGA of the state.

The community was said to have been thrown into confusion as the attackers stormed the worship centre, prompting residents to flee in search of safety.

Confirming the development in a statement, Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi commissioner for information, described the attack as “very sad and unfortunate” and assured residents that efforts were underway to rescue those taken.

Fanwo said the assailants may have been operating from within the vicinity, adding that some residents might have noticed unusual movements but failed to raise alarms.

“Those who struck at Ejiba must have been hiding in the community for some days or in bushes around the village,” he said.

“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.”

Fanwo said the state government and the Yagba west council had made significant efforts in tackling criminal activities in the border areas but noted that Ejiba had suffered repeated attacks.