Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a harrowing escalation of Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, worshippers at an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Kogi State were thrust into a scene of terror on Sunday when armed bandits stormed the house of worship during mid-service, leaving at least one congregant dead and several others abducted. The assault on the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, has intensified fears among residents and faith communities across the central region of the country as insecurity deepens and places of worship increasingly become targets of violent criminal networks.
According to local accounts, gunmen descended upon the church in the early hours of the morning while parishioners were engaged in prayer and singing, catching many unprepared. Chaos erupted as the assailants opened fire, killing a worshipper identified only as Jayjay and seizing others before disappearing into nearby forests with their captives. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of those kidnapped, as investigations and assessments remain underway. The attack marks another grim chapter in a series of violent incursions into sacred spaces that have left communities traumatized and demanding urgent action from security agencies.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and disbelief as the gunmen, heavily armed and mobile, forced their way into the church premises. Some worshippers attempted to flee, while others were reportedly rounded up and taken away. The violence occurred despite heightened awareness of bandit activities in the region, feeding longstanding concerns that criminal gangs wield increasing boldness. Community leaders and residents are calling on the military and police to bolster patrols and deploy rapid response units to prevent further loss of life and stem the tide of abductions.
The Kogi incident comes amid a broader pattern of attacks on religious institutions in Nigeria, where bandits have in recent months targeted churches and mosques alike, often abducting worshippers and demanding ransom for their release. In November, a deadly assault on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, during a live-streamed evening service left three worshippers dead and dozens abducted, with initial estimates of the number of captives varying widely. That tragedy sent shockwaves through the country and underscored the vulnerability of communities gathered in prayer.
In the Kwara case, the victims’ ordeal drew national attention and prompted official intervention. The church later held a solemn first service on the grounds stained by violence, as leaders and congregants prayed for the safe return of their missing members. Security agencies in that instance engaged in sustained efforts to secure the release of the abducted worshippers, who remained in captivity after initial ransom negotiations faltered. Over time, government forces, including intelligence operatives and military units, tracked and pressured the kidnappers, eventually securing the freedom of all 38 abductees in late November. President Bola Tinubu and the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, credited coordinated action by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the armed forces for the successful outcome, even as broader insecurity challenges persist across parts of the country.
The recurrence of such attacks has sparked fears that religious gatherings, traditionally seen as safe spaces, are no longer sacrosanct. In communities like Ayetoro Kiri and Eruku, the psychological impact on survivors and families of the abducted has been profound. Many express anger and frustration at what they describe as repeated warnings about deteriorating security that have gone unheeded. Some residents argue that protective measures are insufficient and question the ability of local security structures to preempt attacks on civilian targets, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where bandits operate with relative impunity.
Security experts note that Nigeria’s bandit crisis, most acute in the northwest and north-central regions, stems from a complex mix of factors including weak state presence, unemployment, proliferation of small arms, and socio-economic grievances. These conditions have enabled loosely organized criminal groups to evolve into powerful networks capable of sustaining raids, kidnappings, and violent confrontations with both civilians and security personnel. The expansion of their reach into Kogi State — traditionally seen as comparatively more secure than some neighboring regions — underscores the fluidity of threat patterns and the challenges facing authorities.
For now, in Ayetoro Kiri, families grapple with uncertainty. With only limited information available about the fate of those abducted, relatives of the missing are left in anguish, clinging to hope for their safe return. Local officials have appealed for patience and cooperation with security forces, while churches and civil society groups have mobilized to provide support to grieving families and strengthen community resilience. The Kogi State Government has assured citizens that every resource is being deployed to investigate the attack and pursue the perpetrators, although specifics about operational responses remain scarce.
As Nigeria continues to confront multifaceted security threats — from banditry to insurgency and communal violence — incidents like the attack on the ECWA church highlight the profound human cost of instability. They also raise pressing questions about the protection of vulnerable communities and the safeguarding of fundamental freedoms, including the right to worship without fear. The international community and domestic stakeholders are watching closely, urging concerted efforts to address the root causes of violence and restore a sense of safety for all citizens.
The tragedy in Kogi, following months of similar attacks on religious institutions, underscores the urgent need for holistic strategies that combine effective policing, community engagement, and socio-economic interventions. Only through such comprehensive approaches can Nigeria hope to quell the cycle of violence that has repeatedly transformed houses of worship — places meant for solace and unity — into scenes of bloodshed and despair.
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