Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
New information has surfaced regarding the devastating attack on the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro-Kiri community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, that occurred on 14 December 2025, leaving scores of worshippers abducted and several others murdered or seriously wounded. The violent assault, carried out by armed bandits on motorcycles during a Sunday service, has become emblematic of the deepening insecurity afflicting rural communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Eyewitness accounts and local government confirmations indicate that gunmen stormed the church amid morning worship, firing indiscriminately and plunging the congregation into chaos as terrified worshippers fled for safety. Community defenders, often referred to as local hunters, engaged the attackers, reportedly neutralising several of the assailants in the ensuing gun battle. Government officials confirmed that scores of residents — including the elderly, women, teenagers and children — were seized and taken into nearby forests.
As of 12 January 2026, seven abducted victims have been freed, according to confirmed reports. Among those released, four survivors were freed alive, while three were confirmed dead either while still in captivity or shortly after being released and admitted to hospital. Community sources indicate that two died while still in the kidnappers’ detention, and one succumbed to injuries at a medical facility after being freed.
Family members and community leaders are still in anguished limbo, as an estimated 27 individuals remain in the hands of their captors, their fate uncertain amid ongoing efforts to secure additional releases. Community spokespersons and local residents have described the situation as deeply traumatic, with congregants and neighbours holding nightly prayers for the safe return of their loved ones.
In a desperate bid to secure freedom for some hostages, residents of Ayetoro-Kiri reportedly raised a ransom of ₦15 million through communal contributions, selling produce, borrowing funds and appealing to friends and relatives. Reports emphasise that no financial support was forthcoming from government authorities, leaving families to shoulder the burden and negotiate directly with the kidnappers.
The payment of ransom appears to have facilitated the recent release of hostages, though the exact terms and mechanisms of negotiation remain unclear. Local vigilante groups and community guards have been credited with assisting in the retrieval of captives once agreements were reached.
The human toll of the attack has been immense. In addition to deaths in captivity, survivors who have returned have required urgent medical attention, with several reported to be in critical condition. Community leaders and family members recount chilling scenes from the aftermath, including distressing videos shared on social media showing abducted worshippers held by their captors in forested terrain.
The larger community of Ayetoro-Kiri and surrounding settlements continues to grapple with the psychological and economic impacts of the assault. With many villagers displaced, farms left unattended, and fear of further attacks pervasive, residents have described the insecurity as crippling their livelihoods and eroding social cohesion. Observers note that forested border areas between Kogi, Niger and Kwara states have become increasingly lawless, with criminal elements reportedly exploiting gaps in security coverage to launch raids on soft targets like churches and schools.
In the weeks following the attack, Kogi State Government officials acknowledged the abduction and deployed a combination of conventional security forces along with local hunters to pursue the kidnappers through dense forest terrain. The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that joint operations involving the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and community vigilantes were underway to track the kidnappers and secure the release of captives.
Despite these efforts, families and community representatives have criticised the pace and scale of the official response, urging a stronger commitment to protecting rural populations and ensuring that future attacks are prevented. Traditional leaders and resident associations have repeatedly called on both state and federal authorities to bolster security deployments along vulnerable corridors and enhance intelligence-led operations in high-risk zones.
The Ayetoro-Kiri incident is not isolated; it forms part of a broader pattern of kidnappings, banditry and violent raids in central Nigeria. Multiple communities across Kogi West have reported similar assaults on churches, schools, and homes, often resulting in abductions, deaths, and mass displacement. Security analysts warn that without sustained intervention and structural reforms in community protection, rural settlements will continue to bear the brunt of criminal insurgency.
Human rights advocates point to the psychological trauma inflicted on victims and their families as a long-term social challenge, underscoring the need for comprehensive support for survivors, including medical care, counselling, and economic rehabilitation. Meanwhile, calls for increased collaboration between federal security agencies and community guard networks have gained traction as one of the few practical approaches to countering the mobility and reach of bandit groups operating along forest fringes.
For the families of those still missing, each day brings a fresh mixture of fear, hope and prayer. Whether through negotiation, forceful rescue or continued vigilance, the people of Ayetoro-Kiri remain resolute in their demand that every one of their kidnapped neighbours be brought home safely. As the search continues and negotiations evolve, the wider nation watches with concern and empathy for a community caught in the crosshairs of insecurity and hardship.
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