Kogi State — Tension has deepened in the Ejiba community of Yagba West Local Government Area after armed bandits who stormed a Cherubim and Seraphim Church during a service issued a fresh ₦200 million ransom demand for the release of abducted worshippers. The attackers, who invaded the church in late November, whisked away men, women and children, including two infants barely weeks old.
Residents told Ogele News that the gang had earlier demanded ₦500 million before reducing the figure to ₦200 million, warning families that failure to comply within a two-day window would lead to what they described as “severe consequences.” Families of the victims say they are traumatized, with many unsure of how to raise such a staggering amount.
According to community members, the attackers struck while the congregation was still in session, causing panic as worshippers ran for safety. The assailants reportedly overpowered local security volunteers before heading into the forest with their captives. Among those taken is the church’s presiding pastor, widely known in the community as Pastor Orlando. Six children from his household were also abducted, further intensifying fears about their welfare.
Eyewitnesses described the raid as swift and coordinated. “They came in large numbers and moved straight into the church. Before we understood what was happening, they had taken people, including babies,” a resident told Ogele News. “Families are in shock. We have never seen anything like this in our community.”
The abduction of a three-week-old baby and a four-month-old infant has drawn widespread condemnation, with child rights advocates calling for urgent intervention. Community leaders say the incident highlights how vulnerable rural worship centres have become, despite increasing reports of bandit activity across several North-Central states.
Local authorities confirmed that security agencies have been notified and search efforts are underway. However, community members say the kidnappers have been in direct communication with families, issuing threats and demanding swift payment.
The Kogi State Police Command has not released full operational details but reiterated that efforts are ongoing to track the group and rescue the victims unharmed. Security analysts say the attack reflects a worrying pattern where criminal gangs target soft locations such as churches, viewing them as easy entry points to abduct groups of people at once.
Across Ejiba, prayers and community fundraising efforts have started, though residents admit they are far from meeting the ransom demand. Many fear that the short deadline given by the kidnappers could escalate tensions in the coming days.
Experts warn that continued attacks on rural religious centres may lead to reduced attendance, increased fear among worship communities and further strain on local security arrangements. Civil society groups have urged the government to strengthen surveillance, improve response times, and prioritize rescue operations for the abducted infants and other vulnerable victims.
The incident has renewed calls for comprehensive reforms to address kidnapping in the region, with several stakeholders insisting that future preventive strategies must combine intelligence gathering, technology-driven security systems, and community-level vigilance.
As families wait anxiously for updates, Ejiba remains on edge. Residents say hope now rests on a coordinated rescue effort to bring home the pastor, the children and all worshippers taken during the attack.
