A fresh wave of insecurity struck Kogi State on Sunday as armed bandits invaded a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers during an early-morning service.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stormed the church premises while service was ongoing, firing multiple shots that sent the congregation scattering in fear. The gunmen reportedly seized Pastor Orlando, his wife, and an unspecified number of church members before fleeing into the surrounding forest. In the aftermath, the worship centre was left in disarray, with overturned benches, abandoned personal items, and traces of smoke from nearby fires.
Kogi State authorities confirmed the incident and announced an immediate multi-layered security response. A surveillance helicopter was deployed to track the movement of the kidnappers, while a dedicated anti-kidnapping squad launched ground operations across remote routes in the LGA. Officials assured residents that intensified patrols and coordinated security actions were underway to rescue the victims and prevent further attacks.
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The assault adds to the growing concerns over persistent bandit activities across Nigeria’s North-Central region, where isolated communities and places of worship have increasingly become targets for kidnappings and violent raids.