A disturbing abduction of clerics and church members from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Christ Apostolic Church has sparked widespread alarm in Odo-Eri community, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident, which occurred around 10 pm on Wednesday, saw about 30 gunmen on motorcycles invade the community, firing sporadically to instill fear before abducting at least 20 people, including church leaders, their families, and other residents. The attackers fled through Abewo Road towards Kwara State, leaving behind a trail of panic and uncertainty.
Eyewitnesses and local sources told Punch that the assault was sudden and coordinated, with the gunmen moving swiftly through the community. The exact identities of the victims remain unconfirmed, but the abduction of religious leaders has raised serious concerns about security in the region. Despite repeated attempts to reach the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu, she had earlier confirmed the incident and stated that security operatives had been deployed to the area. Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the abducted individuals and apprehend the perpetrators.
Apostle Olaniyan Adebayo, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kogi State, revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had issued a prior warning about possible attacks. He disclosed that the DSS had contacted him directly, urging him to alert churches in vulnerable areas based on intelligence reports. “The DSS called me and asked me to call the churches in those places based on the intelligence report they had,” Adebayo said. He added that alerts were sent to church coordinators on Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for potential threats.
Despite the warnings, the attack still occurred, highlighting gaps in security response and community preparedness. The affected church leadership, including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, has not yet issued an official statement. When contacted, church officials declined to comment, stating that the matter had been escalated to relevant authorities for handling. The lack of immediate response from church leaders has left many in the community anxious and seeking answers.
This incident adds to a growing list of security challenges in northern Nigeria, where religious and community leaders have increasingly become targets. The abduction of clerics not only threatens religious freedom but also undermines trust in security institutions. As rescue operations continue, the nation watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution and justice for the victims. The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and inter-agency coordination to prevent future attacks on religious communities.
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