Key Points

• Bandits abducted 37 worshippers during coordinated attacks on two churches in Kogi State.

• The attackers killed a pastor, injured worshippers, and demanded N600 million ransom.

• Residents fled the community as repeated attacks exposed weak security presence.

Bandits abducted at least 37 worshippers, including children and elderly people, after coordinated attacks on two churches in Aiyetoro Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attacks took place on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, when gunmen stormed the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church during worship services.

Community members explained that the attackers exploited the calm atmosphere of Sunday gatherings to surround the area and seize worshippers.

Ransom demand follows days after attack

Residents reported that the attackers contacted community members on Dec. 15, a day after the raid, indicating plans to negotiate directly with government authorities.

By Dec. 16, the group issued a formal ransom demand of N600 million and warned of severe consequences if the money was not paid.

The demand heightened fear across the community, especially among families of the abducted.

Pastor killed, worshippers injured

The attack claimed the life of Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, a seminary graduate popularly known as JJ. Two other worshippers suffered gunshot wounds during the assault.

Those taken included more than 12 children between the ages of three and eight, as well as over 10 elderly worshippers believed to be above 70 years old.

A community source explained that the attackers sealed off parts of the town and focused their operation inside the churches, limiting escape routes.

Some worshippers managed to hide inside one of the church buildings. Many children and elderly members could not flee in time and were taken into the forest.

Bandits operate for hours without resistance

Residents said the attackers remained in the community for several hours and faced no resistance during the operation.

According to local accounts, some captives were forced to return to their homes to collect cash before being led away, a move that underscored how freely the gunmen operated.

The scale of the attack sparked anger among residents, who insisted that early reports failed to capture the severity of what occurred.

Third major attack hits community in 2025

The church abductions marked the third major attack on Aiyetoro Kiri this year.

On March 27, gunmen kidnapped five residents, who regained freedom in July after ransom payments. Another raid on Nov. 26 led to the death of one person and the seizure of petroleum products.

Community leaders described the town as a transit corridor for bandits moving between forest hideouts, with little sustained security presence to deter attacks.

Residents flee as fear empties town

By Thursday morning, Dec. 18, large sections of Aiyetoro Kiri stood deserted as families fled to nearby towns and villages.

Homes remained locked, farms abandoned, and daily activities halted as residents sought safety elsewhere.

Locals blamed the exodus on the church attacks and the lack of a visible security response days after the incident.

Families of the abducted continued to wait anxiously for news, while calls for urgent government intervention grew louder.