Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a stark sign of how insecurity is reshaping everyday life in parts of Kogi State, church services and religious gatherings in a local community have been temporarily halted following a series of violent attacks that have left residents fearful for their safety. The move reflects deepening anxiety across Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area as criminal elements increasingly target places of worship and worshippers.
Traditional and religious leaders in Kabba/Bunu jointly announced the suspension of all church activities in the area until further notice, citing credible security reports and recent breaches that have exposed congregations to grave danger. The directive was issued by Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, acting in consultation with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership for the council area.
The unprecedented decision came after a string of assaults on churches in the region, including a recent attack on a service at the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri during which bandits struck while worshippers were gathered. That raid reportedly involved gunfire and the abduction of parishioners, incidents that have compounded fear and mistrust among residents and drawn broader attention to the deteriorating security climate.
The notice circulated by CAN’s Kabba/Bunu coordinator, Rev. Kayode Osatuyi, explained that the closure of services is a precautionary measure “in the interest of public safety” as security authorities work to contain criminal threats and restore confidence. The statement emphasised that churches will only reopen once the situation stabilises and assurances of safety are secured from relevant agencies.
The suspension of church activities occurs against a backdrop of mounting insecurity in Kogi State, where residents have faced repeated kidnappings, raids on communities and other violent incidents in recent weeks. Other local restrictions, including government advisories to churches in crime-prone areas to reconsider holding services, illustrate how religious life has been directly impacted by the broader security breakdown.
Local sources said that congregants, who normally gather for weekly worship and community support, have expressed deep worry over the threats, describing the suspension as a necessary, albeit painful, response to protect lives. Some residents lamented that places of worship — historically seen as sanctuaries — have become targets, forcing people to choose between spiritual fulfilment and personal safety.
Security experts observing the trend in Kogi note that such measures, while drastic, reflect a pattern seen in violence-affected regions where routine community gatherings are suspended to minimise the risk of ambushes and abductions. They argue that until security forces can provide sustained protection and timely response, communities will continue to take defensive steps to shield their members, even if it means curtailing fundamental activities like church services.
Government officials at both state and local levels have been pressed to intensify patrols, bolster intelligence operations and support vulnerable communities with visible security presence. In response to rising concerns, the state has previously implemented advisories aimed at limiting public gatherings at night and in high-risk zones, underlining the urgency of the threat landscape.
For now, the suspension stands as a stark reminder of how insecurity has seeped into the social fabric of communities in Kogi, forcing families and faith groups to prioritise safety while calling on authorities to deliver the protection that residents say is desperately needed.
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