According to local sources, the gunmen stormed the church premises while a worship service was in progress.
By: Owoseni Martins
No fewer than 20 worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday, December 14, 2025, after armed assailants launched a violent attack on the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, located in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to local sources, the gunmen stormed the church premises while a worship service was in progress.
The attackers reportedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and forcing many congregants to flee for safety. In the chaos, an unspecified number of worshippers were seized by the assailants, who later escaped through nearby bush paths.
The sudden assault plunged the usually peaceful community into turmoil, with residents describing scenes of fear, confusion, and distress as the incident unfolded.
The abduction has further intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Kogi State, particularly in rural communities where repeated attacks on residents and places of worship have become increasingly frequent.
Locals are now calling for stronger and more proactive security measures to protect lives and property.
Earlier reports indicated that one person, identified simply as JayJay, was killed during the attack, while several others were taken hostage.
This latest incident marks the second attack on a church in Okun land within a matter of weeks, deepening anxiety among residents and worshippers across the region.
On November 30, 2025, armed men similarly invaded a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting a cleric identified as Orlando along with about 13 worshippers during a service.
The attackers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦500 million, later reducing it to ₦200 million, and issued a two-day ultimatum to the victims’ families, threatening unspecified consequences if the demand was not met.
Residents also recalled that Ayetoro Kiri community had come under attack roughly three weeks earlier, when armed assailants targeted a local school. On that occasion, members of the community vigilante group reportedly repelled the attackers, preventing casualties and abductions.
The recurring attacks have heightened fears among locals, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security intervention in the area.
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