By Deborah Nnamdi
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped dozens of worshippers during an attack on a church in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attackers, said to be more than 50 in number, reportedly stormed the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri on Sunday, shooting sporadically and causing panic among congregants.
One person was reportedly killed during the attack, while more than 20 worshippers, including children, were abducted and taken to an unknown location.
The assault marked the second major attack on Aiyetoro Kiri in recent times. Bandits had earlier invaded the community, abducting about 50 residents and looting dozens of mobile phones from a business centre. The repeated attacks have forced many residents to flee the area for fear of further violence.
Similarly, residents of Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of the state were thrown into fear following simultaneous attacks by armed bandits in the early hours of the day.
The attacks, which reportedly began around 4 a.m., left several people dead, many injured, and others abducted. Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck two locations almost at the same time and operated for more than an hour.
According to residents, distress calls made during the attacks were responded to late by security agencies.
The first attack occurred at Jamroro settlement, located between Oke-Agi and Takete Isao, a community largely inhabited by the Tiv ethnic group. Several casualties were reported, while those injured were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
In a second incident near Ilai Grammar School, less than one kilometre from Ilai town, the attackers reportedly killed one person and abducted three others.
Confirming the incidents, the Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello, expressed concern over the violence and the delayed response by security operatives. Traditional rulers and community leaders also lamented the situation, calling for urgent and decisive action to curb the rising wave of banditry in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, local government officials were attending to injured victims in the hospital and coordinating support efforts for affected communities.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Ayah, could not be reached for comments, as his phone lines were unreachable.
