Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A violent assault by suspected bandits on a rural church in Kogi State, central Nigeria, has plunged the Ayetoro Kiri community into fear and mourning, with reports of abducted worshippers and at least one fatality as families await news of their loved ones.
On Sunday, December 14, armed assailants attacked the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the farming hamlet of Ayetoro Kiri, within the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, as congregants gathered for morning worship. According to official statements and multiple local reports, the gunmen opened fire before seizing members of the congregation and retreating into nearby forested areas. Security authorities and community sources reported that 13 worshippers were abducted during the assault and taken into captivity, while one person was killed in the chaos. Government officials and witnesses said congregants were caught off guard as the attackers stormed the church compound, creating panic and forcing many to flee for safety.
The identity of the deceased has been confirmed locally only as a male worshipper, whose death has deepened the grief gripping the already distressed community. Families of the missing have described harrowing scenes, with loved ones disappearing into the bush trails as gunmen fled. At the time of reporting, none of the abducted had been released or accounted for, and their condition remains unclear.
State authorities and security operatives, including troops from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, personnel from the Kogi State Police Command, and agents of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been deployed to the area to mount a search operation. Local hunters and vigilante groups, often the first responders in rural attacks, are also said to be assisting in tracking the gunmen and pursuing the abducted worshippers through difficult terrain. Commissioners in the state government have said they remain “hopeful” that the hostages will be found and freed.
The Ayetoro Kiri attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence that has shaken Kogi State in recent weeks, leaving residents constantly on edge. Less than a fortnight before the latest incident, another church, the Cherubim and Seraphim in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, was targeted by attackers who abducted several members including the pastor and his wife. Those victims are still believed to be in captivity.
In the wake of the Ayetoro Kiri assault, Ayetoro Kiri itself has been largely deserted, with many residents fleeing in fear for their lives. Video footage and witness accounts show empty streets, locked homes, and families evacuating with their possessions in search of safety in neighboring towns and villages. One displaced resident described the scene as “our village killed,” underscoring the psychological toll of repeated insecurity on the rural population.
Security officials and civil society actors have stressed that the spike in kidnappings and violent raids is linked to the broader banditry crisis engulfing parts of Nigeria, including spill‑over from persistent insecurity in neighboring states. These criminal networks, often referred to as “bandits,” operate in loosely organized gangs, carrying out attacks on highways, farms, and remote villages largely for financial gain through ransom demands, though the motivation and affiliations behind such groups are complex and sometimes disputed.
The Kogi State government has denounced the attack and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens. The Information Commissioner has noted ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture and has appealed for additional air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement ground operations in forested areas where bandits often take refuge. Authorities emphasize that collaborative measures involving federal and state security agencies are essential to stem the rising tide of violence.
Community leaders, lawmakers, and religious figures have all condemned the attack in strong terms. The lawmaker representing Kogi‑West Senatorial District called on federal and state authorities to coordinate more effective strategies to rescue the captives and prevent further targeting of places of worship and rural communities. Many residents have voiced frustration with what they describe as delayed security responses to repeated distress calls during attacks.
For families in Ayetoro Kiri, the anguish is two‑fold: grieving for a life lost and enduring the uncertainty surrounding those still missing. Parents, spouses, siblings, and children of the abducted have rallied to seek any credible information about their whereabouts, appealing to security agencies to intensify efforts to bring them home safely. Local civil society organizations are also calling for humanitarian support for displaced families, noting that the ongoing insecurity has disrupted livelihoods, schooling, and social cohesion in the region.
The specter of violence in Kogi is not isolated. Across central and northern Nigeria, communities have faced similar challenges from armed groups in recent years. Kidnappings for ransom, attacks on schools and places of worship, and ambushes on highways have become distressingly frequent, contributing to widespread displacement and undermining confidence in public safety. Analysts stress that addressing the root causes of banditry and building stronger community‑security partnerships will be essential if trust is to be restored.
As the search for the victims of the Ayetoro Kiri church attack continues, families and faith communities remain in a state of anguish, hoping for a breakthrough that will reunite them with the abducted and bring justice for those lost. The events have highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms and responsive protection measures, especially for vulnerable rural populations who have borne the brunt of repeated violence.
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