Gunmen Invade Kogi Church, Abduct Pastor, Wife, and Worshippers During Service

A Sunday worship service at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, was violently disrupted after gunmen stormed the premises, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several congregants.

The attack, which occurred in the middle of the service, sent worshippers fleeing in panic as gunshots rang out across the community. Eyewitnesses said the armed men invaded the church without warning, causing widespread confusion before whisking away the pastor—identified locally as Pastor Orlando—along with his wife and an unspecified number of church members.

Residents described the assault as traumatic, noting that the community is still reeling from the shock. As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of abducted individuals has not been confirmed.

Reacting to the incident, the Kogi State Government announced that a coordinated manhunt for the attackers had begun. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said security agencies have intensified surveillance operations across the area.

Fanwo assured that efforts were underway to secure the safe release of the victims. “The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working closely with security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive,” he said. “The perpetrators already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.”

He added that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is receiving regular updates and supervising the security response.

Fanwo urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities. He also advised worship centres located in isolated areas to consider relocating services temporarily due to heightened security concerns.

Security agencies continue combing the surrounding forests and communities as the search for the abducted worshippers intensifies.