December 16, (THEWILL) — The Kogi State Government has confirmed the abduction of 13 worshippers following an attack by suspected bandits on an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) church in Ayetoro Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
THEWILL had reported that Kogi State was on Sunday gripped by fear and tension after suspected bandits launched coordinated attacks on an ECWA church and several surrounding communities, killing at least one person and abducting dozens of worshippers and residents across Kabba/Bunu and Mopamuro Local Government Areas.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that local hunters confronted the attackers in a fierce gun battle, leading to the neutralisation of four bandits, while several others fled into the forest with gunshot wounds.
Fanwo attributed the incident to the displacement of criminal elements from neighbouring Niger and Kwara States following sustained security operations in those areas.
He noted that while Kogi State has a coordinated security architecture in place, the affected axis requires additional reinforcement to prevent further incursions.
According to the commissioner, the abducted worshippers are being tracked by local hunters working in collaboration with security agencies, expressing optimism that they would be rescued safely.
“The kidnapped individuals are being tracked within the forest by hunters and security operatives, and we are hopeful of their safe rescue,” Fanwo said.
He disclosed that troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, personnel of the Kogi State Police Command, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have been deployed to the affected areas to contain the situation.
The state government, he added, has also requested air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement ongoing ground operations.
Commending the bravery and patriotism of the local hunters, Fanwo reassured residents that the government remains firmly in control of the security situation, stressing that the movement of criminal elements has been significantly restricted.
He further revealed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is in active engagement with service chiefs to ensure coordinated air and ground operations aimed at safeguarding lives, property, and critical infrastructure across the state.
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