Breaking: Many abducted as bandits attack ECWA church in Kogi

• Bandits attacked an ECWA church in Àaaaz-Kiri during Sunday service, killing at least one worshipper and abducting several others
• Gunmen carried out coordinated raids on Illai, Okeagi and Jamroro communities, killing three persons and kidnapping residents in early morning attacks
• Senator Sunday Karimi condemned the violence and called for urgent federal and state intervention as communities fled their homes in fear

Kogi state – Bandits have attacked a branch of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Àaaaz-Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi state, killing at least one person and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers during a church service.

Residents said the assailants stormed the community in the morning, firing sporadically to scare people indoors before advancing towards the church where a Sunday service was ongoing.

“It is not yet known how many people were killed. The parishioners were conducting Sunday service when attacked by the assailants,” a local source described.

A resident in the area, who wished not to be named, confirmed the death and reported that a number of families were searching for their loved ones.

“At least one death has been confirmed, but many families have reported missing loved ones because of abductions by these invading gunmen,” the resident explained.

Kogi: Gunmen storm multiple communities

In a related development, suspected bandits reportedly carried out coordinated attacks on Illai and Okeagi communities in Mopamuro local government rea around 4am, killing three persons and abducting others.

Locals said the attackers struck almost simultaneously at different locations and operated for more than an hour before distress calls reached the authorities.

According to community accounts, the assailants first attacked Jamroro settlement, located between Okeagi and Takete Isao, killing two persons.

Another group reportedly attacked a settlement near Ilai Grammar School, killing one person and abducting three others, Vanguard reported.

Jamroro is said to be largely inhabited by Tiv farmers, while the settlement near Ilai is reportedly occupied by Bassa farmers who relocated to the area for agricultural activities.

Senator condemns attacks, calls for urgent intervention

Reacting to the incidents, Senator Sunday Karimi condemned the spate of attacks and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.

The senator commented in a statement on reports of killings and abductions of an undetermined number of worshipers of the ECWA church in the Àaaaz-Kiri community when attacks occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 14, 2025.

“Today, such incidents have occurred in Okeagi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where people were kidnapped and killed in one of the Tiv communities in the area,” he said.

Additionally, the senator stated that a large number of his constituents left their residences when the bandits attacked on Sunday in a coordinated manner.

“The worsening security situation in the entire district calls for urgent intervention from both the federal and state governments, as well as all stakeholders, to tackle the issue head-on and rescue the people from the bandits’ attacks,” he said.

He also recalled that worshippers abducted at a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Yagba East Local Government Area two weeks ago were yet to be released, noting that communities across the district were now living in fear of incessant attacks and kidnappings, Daily Trust reported.

Kogi government sympathises, police yet to comment

Meanwhile, the Kogi state commissioner for information and communication, Kingsley Fanwo, sympathised with the people of Illai and Okeagi over the attacks.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Illai and Okeagi at this trying moment. I am aware that efforts are ongoing to restore security to the area. I have also spoken with the Council Chairman of Mopamuro and other concerned persons. We will triumph by the grace of God,” Fanwo said.

However, as at the time of filing this report, the state government had yet to issue an official statement on the attack on the ECWA church.

The spokesperson of the Kogi state police command, CSP William Aya, was contacted for comments, but had not responded.

Bandits attack Kogi church, kidnap pastor, wife

Legit.ng previously reported that gunmen attacked the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West local government area of Kogi state.

The armed bandits attacked worshippers during church service on Sunday, November 30, 2025. It was gathered that ‎the community was thrown into chaos following the bandits’ attack on the church