Several worshippers were abducted on Sunday, December 14, 2025, after terrorists attacked the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Local sources said the terrorists stormed the church during an ongoing worship service, firing sporadically to instil fear and cause panic among congregants.
While many worshippers fled the scene, an undisclosed number were seized by the terrorists, who later escaped through nearby bush paths.
The attack threw the usually peaceful community into chaos, with residents describing scenes of fear, confusion and distress as the incident unfolded.
The abduction has further heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Kogi State, where repeated terrorist attacks on rural communities and places of worship have left residents increasingly anxious and calling for stronger security measures.
Earlier on Sunday, a report obtained by Politics Nigeria stated that one person, identified simply as JayJay, was killed during the attack, while several worshippers were abducted by the terrorists.
The incident marked the second attack on a church in Okun land within weeks, deepening fears among residents and worshippers across the area.
A similar incident occurred on November 30, 2025, when terrorists stormed a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting the cleric identified as Orlando and about 13 worshippers during a service.
The terrorists initially demanded ₦500 million in ransom, later reducing it to ₦200 million, giving the victims’ families a two-day ultimatum and threatening unspecified “consequences” if the demand was not met.
Residents also recalled that the Ayetoro Kiri community came under attack about three weeks earlier, when terrorists targeted a local school. On that occasion, the community vigilante group reportedly repelled the attackers, preventing casualties and abductions.