Kogi state government has issued a strong warning to churches across the state over continued violations of the security protocol banning late religious activities as well as worship in vulnerable places without security cover and clearance, citing credible intelligence of planned attacks by bandits.
In a press statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed that security intelligence at the disposal of the government revealed a plot by criminal elements to attack a church in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Commissioner, intercepted conversations among the bandits indicated that the targeted church had continued to operate late into the night, making it vulnerable to attack. The criminals were reportedly heard boasting that they would make “a lot of money” through ransom by kidnapping worshippers during the service.
Fanwo said that although coordinated security measures have since been activated to avert the planned attack, the development has reinforced the need for strict compliance with the state’s preventive security directives.
“We have observed with deep concern that despite clear security advisories, some churches still operate late into the night. This is unacceptable in the face of prevailing security challenges,” he said.
He reiterated that no church is permitted to operate beyond 4:00pm, stressing that churches located in isolated or bushy environments must immediately seek safer alternatives in the interest of their members.
The Commissioner warned that any church found violating the security protocol would face sanctions, noting that such actions expose worshippers to grave danger.
“This decision is not targeted at faith or worship. It is a safety-first approach designed to protect lives. Any church that deliberately disregards this protocol constitutes a security risk to its members,” Fanwo added.
He further directed security operatives across the state to stop pastors from fixing or conducting night services, emphasizing that the government’s priority is crime prevention rather than emergency response after lives have been endangered.
“Our intention is to prevent crime, not to begin running helter-skelter to secure the release of kidnapped victims,” he stated.
Fanwo dismissed insinuations that the policy reflects fear or weakness, stressing that the Kogi State Government is aggressively confronting criminal elements.
“Our approach is not cowardice. We are mobilizing security forces to overrun the criminals, and we are recording significant successes. However, effective security also requires preventive measures, and we must all act responsibly to protect our citizens,” he said.
Kogi state government called on religious leaders to cooperate fully with security agencies and align with the safety directives, assuring residents that the administration remains committed to safeguarding lives and sustaining peace across the state.
