Gunmen have raided a church in Kogi State, abducting a pastor and his wife during a Sunday service that left worshippers fleeing in panic.
According to reports, the attack occurred at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area (LGA), where armed men stormed the premises mid-service.
The incident threw the quiet community into confusion as gunshots rang out, forcing congregants to scatter in search of safety.
A resident said the assailants moved swiftly and seized the pastor, popularly known as Orlando, along with his wife and several congregants.
However, the exact number of abducted persons had yet to be established on Sunday evening.
Local accounts described the invasion as sudden and frightening, with many residents still reeling from the shock of the assault.
The Kogi State Government said it had intensified security operations to track down the attackers and secure the release of the victims. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed security agencies and the Yagba West council authorities were working “round the clock.”
“The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive.
“The perpetrators already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted,” Fanwo said.
He added that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was coordinating the response efforts and assured that updates would be provided as operations progressed.
Fanwo urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
He also advised worship centres located in isolated or high-risk areas to reassess their safety arrangements until conditions improve.
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