A Pastor, his wife and several worshippers have been kidnapped as armed bandits attacked a newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attack was said to have occurred during today’s Sunday service.
Ejiba community was said to have been thrown into chaos after armed bandits launched an attack during the church service.
According to locals, worshippers ran helter-skelter as the invading bandits fired sporadic gunshots.
The pastor of the church, popularly known as Orlando, was taken away along with his wife and several other members.
Residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the bandits stormed the community unexpectedly and left many people in shock. The exact number of those abducted is yet to be confirmed.
In a swift reaction, Kogi state government has ordered security operatives to go after the bandits and rescue all kidnap victims.
The state government also deployed a police helicopter which landed at the scene of the attack after noon.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that the state government has intensified surveillance and patrols, and launched a manhunt for the bandits who attacked the Cherubim and Seraphim church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA of the state.
”I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, is currently doing what they should do.
”The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators, too, already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.
”The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities, and we will keep the press updated on the operations.
”Worship Centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better,” he said.
Kogi state government urged citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movement and faces to security agencies.
“When you see something, say something.”
Meanwhile, another commercial vehicle was attacked on Sunday morning along the Idofin-Makutu Isanlu axis in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi state.
Video from the scene showed the aftermath of the assault, adding to growing fears over rising insecurity in the region.
This incident comes barely 24 hours after two people were abducted on the same Idofin road, a case that remains unresolved as security operatives continue their search.
