Suspected armed bandits have attacked the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, leaving one person dead and abducting several worshippers.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the life of a man identified simply as Jayjay, who was reportedly killed during the assault.
The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Zacchaeus Dare, said the exact number of abducted worshippers is yet to be confirmed, as local authorities and security operatives continue to assess the situation and trail the assailants.
He said security operatives were able to neutralise about five of the bandits. Still, he expressed sadness over what he described as the continued disregard by some clerics for government directives restricting social and religious gatherings in insecure areas, based on credible intelligence.
According to him, holding prolonged services despite these advisories undermines the efforts of the government and security agencies.
The incident marks the second attack on a church in Okun land within weeks, heightening fear among residents and worshippers in the area.
It would be recalled that bandits on November 30, 2025, attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting a cleric identified as Orlando alongside some other worshippers during a service.
The attackers reportedly demanded ₦500 million in ransom, later reducing the sum to ₦200 million, and issued a two-day ultimatum to the victims’ families.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over the security situation in Okun land, with residents calling for urgent intervention by security agencies and the Kogi State Government to protect lives and prevent further attacks.
Despite the declaration of a state of emergency by President Tinubu, the insecurity in the country has continued to worsen as security operatives struggle to contain criminal groups.