Gunmen storm Sunday service, open fire before taking several people hostage; security operatives launch search operation
In a tragic incident that unfolded during Sunday morning worship at an ECWA church in Kogi State, armed bandits attacked the congregation, killing one person and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers.
Eyewitnesses say the gunmen arrived on motorcycles shortly after the service began, opened fire randomly, and then forced several members of the church into their vehicles before fleeing into nearby forests.
Security agencies, including the police and military, have been deployed to the area and launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate the abducted persons.
The state government has condemned the attack, describing it as a “barbaric act against innocent citizens exercising their religious freedom.” No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
