Suspected Armed bandits have again struck in Kogi State.
On Sunday 14 December they were said to have attacked the First ECWA Churchin Ayetoro-Kiri, located in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killed one person and abducted about 20 worshippers.
The attack, according to eyewitness said the attack took place while church members were gathered for a service, throwing worshippers and the community into panic.
The gunmen were saidvto have stormed the church in a commando fashion, firing shots into the air to scare people before forcing many of them to follow them into the surrounding bushes. One person was reportedly shot dead during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The attackers escaped before security operatives could arrive at the scene.
Residents of Ayetoro-Kiri described the incident as shocking and heartbreaking, noting that the community had enjoyed relative peace before the attack. Many families are now worried about the safety of their loved ones who were taken away by the gunmen.
On the same day, report had it that gunmen also carried out coordinated attacks on Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of the state. During these attacks, at least three people were killed, while several others were abducted. The attackers were said to have invaded the communities in large numbers, shooting sporadically and causing residents to flee their homes.
Sources from the affected areas said houses were abandoned as people ran into the bush to save their lives. The attackers reportedly went from house to house, targeting residents and kidnapping many before leaving the communities in fear.
Local
The series of attacks had raised fresh concerns about insecurity in Kogi State, especially in rural communities where residents say they feel unprotected.
Many have called for increased security patrols, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups.
Community members also appealed to the government to provide support for families affected by the violence, including medical care for the injured and assistance for those who lost loved ones.
