Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a church during Sunday service in Kogi State, abducting a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday while the congregation was in the middle of worship. Witnesses said the assailants, who were armed and dressed in dark clothing, stormed the church premises, firing sporadic shots to create panic before whisking their victims away.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and a vehicle, overpowering any form of resistance as members of the church scampered for safety.
The pastor, his wife, and an unspecified number of worshippers were forcefully taken into the nearby bush.Residents of the area described the attack as terrifying, noting that it happened swiftly and left the community in shock. Some church members who escaped the abduction later raised the alarm, prompting security operatives and local vigilantes to begin a search operation.
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that tactical teams have been deployed to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims unharmed. According to the police, efforts are ongoing, including intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
This latest attack adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, where cases of kidnapping and armed attacks have continued to threaten lives, religious activities, and public safety.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid the rescue operation, while also advising religious institutions to enhance security measures during services.
