A Sunday morning church service in Ejiba, in the Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, turned tragic after armed men stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, kidnapping the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers. The incident plunged the community into fear and uncertainty.
The church was in the middle of a service when the attackers arrived, opening fire and forcing the congregation to take cover. The pastor, identified by locals as “Orlando,” was kidnapped along with his wife as the armed men surrounded several other members of the congregation.
The exact number of worshippers kidnapped is still unclear, but local witnesses say the attackers acted quickly and appeared to be familiar with the area. Residents described scenes of panic as people fled into nearby bushes to escape the gunfire.
Following the attack, the Kogi State government announced an intensification of the search and rescue operation. A helicopter and an anti-kidnapping squad have been deployed to scour the surrounding forests and locate the perpetrators.
Authorities condemned the attack and assured residents that security agencies are working tirelessly to rescue the victims and prevent further incidents. However, community members continue to express deep concern about the increase in attacks on places of worship and remote communities in the region.
The incident has renewed calls for a stronger security presence in rural churches and other vulnerable areas, especially given the rise in kidnapping cases in several states.
Be the first to comment