Gunmen believed to be bandits have abducted dozens of worshippers following a violent attack on a church in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, throwing the affected communities into fear and uncertainty.
Information gathered revealed that more than 50 armed men stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri on Sunday, opening fire indiscriminately as worshippers gathered. During the assault, one person was reportedly killed, while over 20 church members, including children, were forcefully taken away by the attackers.
The assault marked the second major incident in Aiyetoro Kiri in recent times. Bandits had earlier invaded the community, abducting about 50 residents and looting dozens of mobile phones from a local business centre. These repeated attacks have heightened tension in the area, forcing many residents to abandon their homes in search of safety.
Fear also spread to Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area, where armed bandits reportedly carried out simultaneous attacks, leaving devastation in their wake. The coordinated assaults, which began around 4 a.m., resulted in multiple deaths, several injuries, and the abduction of residents.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck two locations almost at the same time and operated for more than an hour. Distress calls made during the attacks were said to have received delayed responses, worsening the impact on the affected communities.
One of the attacks occurred in Jamroro settlement, located between Oke-Agi and Takete Isao, an area largely inhabited by the Tiv ethnic group. Reports indicated that the violence led to casualties, while those injured were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for urgent treatment.
Another incident took place close to Ilai Grammar School, less than one kilometre from Ilai town, where the assailants reportedly killed one person and abducted three others. The aftermath has left residents traumatised, with fear and anxiety dominating daily life.
The Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello, confirmed the incidents and expressed concern over the delayed emergency response. Traditional rulers and community leaders also lamented the situation, criticising the lack of swift intervention by security agencies.
Residents have called on authorities to take decisive steps to address the rising wave of banditry threatening Mopamuro, Kabba/Bunu, and neighbouring areas. As of the latest update, local officials were attending to the injured at the hospital and providing support to affected families.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, failed at the time of filing this report.
What you should know
The latest attacks in Kogi State highlight the growing insecurity faced by rural communities, particularly in Kabba/Bunu and Mopamuro local government areas.
Armed banditry has increasingly targeted places of worship and residential settlements, leading to deaths, mass abductions, and displacement of residents.
Repeated incidents and delayed security responses have deepened public concern, with community leaders and residents calling for urgent and decisive action from authorities to restore safety and prevent further escalation of violence.
