Kogi ECWA Church Attack Leaves Over 20 Worshippers Kidnapped
Kogi ECWA Church Attack Leaves Over 20 Worshippers Kidnapped
More than 20 worshippers have been abducted following a violent attack on an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Kogi State, Nigeria, deepening concerns over rising insecurity and targeted assaults on Christian communities.
The incident occurred during a church service when armed men stormed the ECWA church, shooting sporadically and forcing worshippers to flee. Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be bandits, overpowered the area with little resistance before abducting several congregants and escaping into nearby bushland.
Local sources confirmed that the victims include men and women who were attending a regular worship program. Some worshippers reportedly sustained injuries while trying to escape, though no deaths have been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Security agencies have acknowledged the attack and say efforts are underway to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the abducted worshippers. However, residents expressed fear and frustration, saying such assurances have become routine while attacks continue unabated.
“This is a place of worship, not a battlefield,” a community leader said. “People came to pray, not knowing they were walking into danger. Our people are living in fear.”
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The Kogi church attack adds to a growing list of assaults on churches across Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions, where kidnappings, killings, and raids on religious gatherings have become increasingly frequent. Christian leaders have repeatedly warned that places of worship are becoming soft targets for criminal groups seeking ransom payments.
ECWA leaders are calling on the federal and state governments to urgently strengthen security around churches and vulnerable communities, especially during worship services. They also appealed for prayers for the safe release of those taken.
Human rights groups and faith-based organizations have continued to urge Nigerian authorities to treat attacks on religious communities as a national emergency, warning that unchecked violence threatens social stability and freedom of worship.
As families await news of their loved ones, the Kogi attack stands as another grim reminder of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis and the urgent need for decisive action to protect civilians.
Content Credit: Moyosola Oni
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