Gunmen have attacked a church in Kogi State, kidnapping a pastor and his wife.
The attack on the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, occurred during Sunday service.
Reports said the community was thrown into chaos after armed bandits launched an attack during the church service.
According to a resident of the community, the attack forced worshippers to run for safety as gunshots echoed through the area. The pastor of the church, popularly known as Orlando, was taken away along with his wife and several other members.
Residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the bandits stormed the community unexpectedly and left many people in shock. The exact number of those abducted is yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government said it has intensified surveillance and, manhunt against the bandits that attacked the church.
It is yet to be ascertained the exact number of members of the church that were whisked away by the gunmen.
However, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, announced that security agencies are working to secure the release of the kidnap victims.
“The authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are working hard with the security agencies to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive. The perpetrators, too, already know that Kogi will do everything possible to secure every one of its citizens abducted.
“The Governor of the State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is coordinating activities, and we will keep the press updated on the operations.
“We urge the citizens to be security-conscious and also report suspicious movements and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.
“Worship Centres in the outskirts should also reconsider worshipping in crime-prone areas for now until the situation gets better.”
Last week, President Bola Tinubu had advised religious leaders in the country to always seek police protection for their worship centres, especially in the vulnerable communities.
The president’s advice followed bandits’ attack of the Christ Apostolic Church at a Kwara State community, and abduction of several worshippers.