The Kogi government has advised worship centres located in “crime-prone areas” to reconsider operating until security improves across the state.
This comes after gunmen stormed a newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church during an early morning service in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA, abducting a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.
Responding to the incident, Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information, encouraged residents to raise alarm when they observe suspicious movement or activity around them. He noted that security forces are already working toward rescuing the victims.
“I am also aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture are currently doing what they should do. We have no figures yet as we await security agencies to carry out their findings and report back to the public,” he stated.
Fanwo further appealed to citizens to remain alert, adding that “worship centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better.”
Before this attack, bandits had abducted worshippers from a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Oke Isegun, Eruku community, near the Kogi–Kwara boundary, on November 18. President Bola Tinubu later confirmed that those kidnapped had been rescued.