By Obinna Uballa
The Kogi State Government has launched a coordinated aerial and ground operation after armed bandits attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, on Sunday morning, November 30, 2025.
Video footage posted by Egbe Emekun Parrot on Facebook and credited to Olusegun Iselaiye shows a state-deployed helicopter and an anti-kidnapping unit combing the area in pursuit of the attackers. During the assault, the church pastor, popularly known as Orlando, his wife, and an unconfirmed number of worshippers were reportedly abducted.
The New Diplomat obtained footage showing the interior of the church in disarray, with Bibles and congregants’ shoes left where they had been seated.
A witness recording the scene described the abduction, pleading for assistance to rescue the victims. “I hid myself; this is the church where they abducted people. You are seeing where they kidnapped people at Ejiba. Please, save us. Baba Orlando, who is the head of this church, was abducted. You can see the inside. They didn’t bother to put off the speaker or anything,” the witness said.
The attack has intensified fears over insecurity in Kogi State, adding to a growing pattern of violent assaults targeting places of worship and communities in the region.
Security analysts and residents have called for heightened measures to prevent similar incidents, citing the recent spate of attacks across neighboring states. For example, on November 18, 2025, armed bandits stormed the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State during a worship service. The assailants killed at least five people and abducted 38 worshippers, including women, children, and elderly members.
Initial reports indicated that the kidnappers demanded ransoms as high as N100 million per victim, later reportedly reduced to about N20 million each. Following coordinated efforts by security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), all 38 worshippers were released safely on November 23, 2025.
Authorities in Kogi State are intensifying efforts to track the perpetrators of the Ejiba attack and secure the safe release of the abducted pastor and worshippers. Residents of the community have expressed deep shock, with many calling for stronger security presence along vulnerable routes and at places of worship to prevent further tragedies.
