Terrorists attack Kogi church, communities, killing several and abducting dozens

From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja

Sunday was a tragic day for the Okun people of Kogi State as bandits numbering over 50 invaded an ECWA church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, during a church service, firing sporadically, killing one person and abducting around 30 worshippers, including children and pregnant women.

The attack on Aiyetoro Kiri church on Sunday marks the second incident in the community, as bandits had recently invaded the area, abducting 50 people and carting away dozens of phones from a charging centre.

These attacks have instilled great fear among residents, with many now relocating from the community.

Separately, bandits also attacked Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area in a coordinated manner, abducting over 40 people.

Our correspondent reliably gathered on Sunday that the attacks, which occurred at about 4:00 am, left several people dead, others injured, and some residents abducted.

Armed bandits were said to have struck two locations almost simultaneously, operating for more than an hour before distress calls were eventually received.

In the first incident, Jamroro settlement, located between Oke-Agi and Takete Isao and largely inhabited by Tiv people, was attacked. Two persons were confirmed killed, while three others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The second attack occurred in a Bassa community near Ilai Grammar School, less than one kilometre from Ilai town. One person was reportedly killed during the raid, while three others were kidnapped by the attackers.

The incidents were confirmed by the Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon Ademola Bello, alongside traditional authorities and community leaders from Oke-Agi and Ilai.

Residents and community sources expressed deep concern over the delayed response to the attacks, noting that the assailants operated freely for over an hour before help was alerted.

The renewed violence has heightened fear across the area, with residents calling on security agencies and government authorities to urgently deploy decisive measures to curb the rising wave of coordinated bandit attacks in Mopamuro and surrounding communities.

As of the time of filing this report, local officials were said to be with the injured victims at the hospital.

Meanwhile, all efforts to speak with the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, on the attack proved abortive as his phone lines could not be reached.