Bandits, in the early hours of yesterday, attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim Church at Ejiba in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers.
The attack occurred as bandits also struck a border community in Kano State, Yankamaye village in Tsanyanwa Local Government Area, where a woman was killed and three other women abducted. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, urged security agencies to pursue the attackers who have been troubling villages in Tsanyawa and Shanono LGAs.
In another assault, bandits raided Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday night, abducting a bride, her bridesmaids, and others who were preparing for a wedding scheduled for the following day.
Meanwhile, the bandits who kidnapped the Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, have demanded N150 million ransom. Two of the six directors of the Ministry of Defence abducted in Kogi three weeks ago also remain in captivity.
Attack On Kogi Church
The attack on the church reportedly occurred during a service, triggering panic as worshippers fled amid sporadic gunfire.
The community was thrown into chaos as residents ran to avoid being hit by stray bullets or abducted. The pastor, known as Orlando, was kidnapped along with his wife and several church members.
Residents described the incident as frightening, noting that the gunmen stormed the community without warning, leaving many traumatised. The exact number of abductees remained unknown at press time, as police had yet to confirm the figures.
Kogi Government: We Will Rescue All Victims Alive
Reacting, the Kogi State government announced that it had intensified surveillance and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, stated that the security architecture, comprising conventional security agencies and local networks, had begun coordinated operations to rescue the victims.
Fanwo urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements while advising worship centres located on the outskirts to temporarily reconsider gathering in vulnerable areas.
Bandits Kill Woman, Abduct Three Others In Kano
In Kano, bandits attacked Yankamaye village in Tsanyanwa Local Government Area on Saturday night.
A source said the bandits stormed the community when residents had gone to bed, killing an elderly woman and abducting three women.
While the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, confirmed the incident on his Facebook page.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts, stressing that criminals escaping from neighbouring states following military operations must not be allowed to destabilise Kano communities.
Bride, Bridesmaids And Guests Abducted In Sokoto
In Sokoto State, bandits raided Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area on Saturday night, abducting a bride, her bridesmaids, and other women.
The bride, who was preparing for her wedding scheduled for the next morning, was taken along with the women who had gathered to support her. Residents said the bandits struck as families were retiring for the night.
Chacho, the hometown of the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has suffered repeated attacks, leaving residents frightened and tense.
The incident occurred only hours after N4 million, and a motorcycle was paid to secure the release of victims kidnapped earlier in Rabah town, headquarters of Rabah LGA.
A resident confirmed that the gunmen invaded around midnight, firing shots and forcing people to flee into nearby bushes. Efforts to reach the police spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful at press time.
The state chairman of the APC, Isah Achida, also confirmed the abduction but said he did not yet have an accurate number of victims. He added that communities around the area had been living in constant fear due to escalating attacks.
According to residents, the bandits have not yet contacted the family of the bride or village leaders to demand ransom.
Bandits Demand N150m Ransom for Kwara Monarch
In Kwara State, the bandits holding the Ojibara of Bayagan, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, have demanded N150 million for his release.
Sources said the monarch was asked by the kidnappers to speak with his community to confirm he was alive and in their custody. The monarch reportedly narrated that he was taken deep into the forest on a motorcycle for more than five hours.
He also said several people from a neighbouring community were kidnapped during the same operation. Negotiations had not yet begun as the kidnappers only communicated the ransom demand.
Bayagan is a large community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The monarch was kidnapped around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday when gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles invaded his farm.
Two Defence Directors Still In Captivity After 21 Days
Twenty-one days after six directors of the Federal Ministry of Defence were abducted on the Kabba–Lokoja highway while travelling to Asaba for promotion examinations, two remain in captivity.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, expressed concern for their safety. Although four have been rescued and are undergoing medical evaluation, Mrs. Emeribe C.A and Mrs. Onwuzurike J.A remain missing.
ASCSN renewed its appeal to the federal government to decentralise promotion examinations and verification processes for public servants to minimise security risks caused by long-distance travel.
