At least 20 worshippers were abducted on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when armed men attacked the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Local sources said the assailants stormed the church during an ongoing worship service, firing sporadically to cause panic among congregants. While many worshippers managed to flee, an undisclosed number were seized by the attackers, who reportedly escaped through nearby bush paths.
The assault threw the otherwise peaceful community into chaos, with residents describing scenes of fear and confusion as the incident unfolded.
One person, identified simply as JayJay, was killed during the attack, while several worshippers were taken away by the gunmen.
The incident has further heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Kogi State, particularly in rural communities, where repeated attacks on villages and places of worship have left residents increasingly anxious and calling for stronger security measures.
This latest abduction marks the second attack on a church in Okun land within a few weeks. On November 30, 2025, armed men invaded a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting a cleric identified as Orlando and about 13 worshippers during a service.
In that incident, the attackers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦500 million, which was later reduced to ₦200 million. They allegedly issued a two-day ultimatum to the victims’ families, threatening unspecified consequences if the demand was not met.
Residents also recalled that Ayetoro Kiri came under attack about three weeks earlier, when armed men targeted a local school. The attack was reportedly repelled by the community vigilante group, preventing casualties and abductions.
The renewed wave of attacks has deepened fears among residents and worshippers across the area, with calls growing for urgent intervention by security agencies.