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.

He also faulted religious leaders who insisted on gathering worshippers in unsafe locations.

“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.

“When you see something, say something. Avoid going to unsecured churches and mosques now.

“Avoid absolutely unnecessary journeys at this time. Any journey along the danger zones should be avoided. Do not disclose your movement to anyone again.”

The commissioner said security agencies and the state government had taken “drastic measures” to ensure the safe return of the abducted worshippers.

On November 18, some worshippers were abducted when bandits attacked a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Oke Isegun in the Eruku community, a boundary town with Kogi in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara state.

Last Sunday, President Bola Tinubu announced that all the abducted worshippers have been rescued.