The Kogi State government has issued a stern advisory for worship centres in attack-prone areas to consider relocating due to rising insecurity. This directive comes in the wake of a brazen attack on a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, which occurred on Sunday during an early morning service.
Gunmen broke into the church, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers, sparking fear and concern among residents and religious leaders across the state. This incident marks the first major attack on a church in Kogi following the high-profile abduction of worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
Government Response and Advisory
Reacting to the attack, Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information, urged worship centres, particularly those located on the outskirts, to reconsider holding services in crime-prone areas “until the situation gets better.” He emphasized the need for heightened security consciousness, stating:
“Worshipping in the bush without security in this era, just a few weeks after worshippers were abducted from a church in Kwara State, to me is not ideal. We all need to be security conscious at this time. We also need to volunteer intelligence.”
Fanwo also confirmed that security operatives were actively working to rescue those abducted, adding:
“I am aware that the security network, comprising the conventional security agencies and the local security architecture, are currently doing what they should do. We have no figures yet as we await security agencies to carry out their findings and report back to the public. We urge the citizens to report suspicious movements and faces to security agencies. When you see something, say something.”
Governor Ododo’s Security Measures
The attack comes just three days after Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo disclosed that bandit commanders had relocated to Kogi State to intensify attacks. The governor assured that the government, alongside security agencies, would proactively take the fight to the criminals’ hideouts.
“Before now, you would hear of shootings in schools and among residents… we have to put heads together to save our people. We have come to brainstorm and see a way out and provide our people with the needed security,” he said.
Governor Ododo reiterated that the bandit commanders’ presence in the state would not go unchallenged:
“We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them; we are not going to pay ransom. We are going to sensitise our people to be security conscious of their activities.”
In line with these measures, the State Security Council has resolved that all public activities—religious or social—should end by 4 p.m. until further notice, a move aimed at curbing night-time attacks and ensuring citizen safety.
Rising Insecurity and Community Implications
The Ejiba church attack underscores the growing threats faced by worship centres and rural communities in Kogi. With bandits increasingly targeting soft locations like churches and schools, the state government’s advisory is a cautionary but necessary step to protect lives.
Religious leaders and congregants are being urged to prioritise safety over routine, report suspicious activities, and cooperate closely with security operatives. Meanwhile, authorities have intensified patrols and surveillance, combining conventional security forces with local vigilante networks to prevent further attacks.
Conclusion
The fresh attack on the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba has heightened tensions in Kogi State, prompting urgent security advisories and proactive government action. With relocation of worship centres, curfews on public activities, and intensified security operations, the state is signaling a no-nonsense approach to curbing banditry and protecting its citizens.
For congregations in rural or remote areas, the message is clear: safeguard your people first, even if it means temporarily suspending services or relocating. The emphasis now is on vigilance, intelligence-sharing, and collective responsibility to prevent further tragedies.
