A quiet Sunday worship in the Ejiba community of Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State, was thrown into turmoil when armed assailants stormed a church and abducted several worshippers, including the presiding pastor and his wife.
Witnesses said the attack occurred at a newly founded branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church.
The service had barely progressed when sporadic gunfire erupted outside, sending congregants scrambling for safety.
Residents reported that the attackers, believed to be bandits operating within the area, moved swiftly through the premises, selecting their victims before disappearing into nearby bush paths.
The pastor, popularly called Orlando, and his wife were among those taken away.
Locals fear that more members may have been whisked off, as some worshippers remain unaccounted for hours after the incident.
Community members described the invasion as sudden and frightening, noting that Ejiba has remained tense since the assault.
In a statement issued late Sunday, the Kogi State Government confirmed the attack and assured residents that security formations had intensified patrols across Yagba West to track down the perpetrators.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said authorities at both state and local government levels were coordinating efforts with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
He added that Governor Ahmed Ododo had been receiving real-time updates on the situation and had directed security operatives to pursue the kidnappers without delay.
Fanwo urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity, stressing that public cooperation is vital in combating criminal networks.
The Commissioner also advised worship centres located in isolated or high-risk environments to reconsider holding services in such locations until security improves.
The Ejiba community has been gripped by anxiety since the incident, with families of the missing anxiously awaiting information on their loved ones.
Local leaders say the attack underscores a growing security challenge in the area, where sporadic assaults on rural communities have been reported in recent months.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of victims taken during the raid.
