Armed men have kidnapped at least 13 people from a church in Nigeria’s central Kogi state, marking the second such attack on a place of worship in the area in as many weeks.
The attackers stormed into the Evangelical Church Winning All in the rural farming district of Aaaaz-Kiri during a Sunday morning service. Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire, triggering panic, before seizing several congregants and fleeing the scene.
Kogi state’s Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed that five of the attackers were killed during a confrontation with security forces. He said others managed to escape despite sustaining gunshot wounds during the exchange.
Officials described the assailants as “bandits,” a term widely used in Nigeria for criminal gangs that carry out kidnappings for ransom. These groups often operate in forested and rural areas where security presence is limited.
The latest raid follows a similar incident just two weeks ago in the nearby town of Ejiba. In that attack, gunmen abducted a pastor, his wife, and several church members during a service, sparking outrage among local communities.
Residents say those abducted in Ejiba are still being held despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to secure their release. Families of the victims continue to appeal for swift action, fearing prolonged captivity.
Fanwo suggested that intensified military operations in neighboring Niger and Kwara states have displaced criminal gangs toward Kogi. “The security onslaught in neighbouring Niger and Kwara states is pushing the bandits more towards Kogi state,” he told the BBC.
The attacks underscore Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, particularly in the north-western and central regions. Armed groups have carried out waves of mass abductions, village raids, and assaults on schools and religious institutions in recent weeks.
One of the most alarming incidents occurred at the end of November in Niger state, where more than 250 children and 12 members of staff were reportedly kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri. The scale of the abduction shocked the nation.
The Nigerian government has often attributed such attacks to jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap). However, security analysts dispute this assessment, telling the BBC that most recent incidents were carried out by criminal gangs motivated by ransom.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing kidnappings. He has also approved the deployment of additional troops and police officers to areas identified as hotspots.
Authorities say joint military and police task forces have recorded some successes in dismantling armed groups and rescuing abductees. Several camps used by bandits have reportedly been destroyed in coordinated operations.
Despite these measures, attacks continue largely unabated, especially in rural communities. Residents complain that security forces are stretched thin, response times are slow, and vast forested areas provide cover for criminals.
Religious leaders have expressed concern over the targeting of churches, warning that repeated attacks threaten social cohesion and freedom of worship. Many congregations have begun scaling back services or hiring local vigilantes for protection.
Local farmers in Kogi say insecurity is also disrupting livelihoods, as fear of abduction keeps people away from fields and markets. The economic impact, they warn, could deepen poverty in already vulnerable communities.
As Nigeria grapples with overlapping security crises, the latest church kidnapping has renewed calls for sustained, coordinated action. For residents of Kogi state, the hope remains that decisive measures will prevent worshippers from becoming targets yet again.
