Residents of the Aaaazkiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State are fleeing the community, following last Sunday’s incident where gunmen attacked ECWA Church and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers while one was reportedly killed.
Church members, who spoke under condition of anonymity, yesterday claimed that the gunmen could have abducted over 20 worshippers in the incident.
Gunmen reportedly struck at the church during service.
Some church members said it was not clear how many were killed.
Residents said: “Many of our people in the community have relocated following the Sunday incident. Many have fled to their kinsmen and friends residing at safer communities and council headquarters.”
The spokesman for the state police command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Aya William, was yet to react to the incident as at the time of filing this report.
The Senator representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi, however, condemned the incident, urging security operatives to put on more efforts .
He declared: “We are concerned over reports of killing and kidnapping of an unspecified number of worshipers at ECWA Church in Àaaaz-Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area in the early hours of December 14, 2025.
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“Today, similar incidents have occurred in Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where people were kidnapped and killed in one of the Tiv communities.
“The worsening security situation in the entire district calls for urgent intervention, from both federal and state governments, as well as all stakeholders, to tackle the issue head-on, and rescue the people from the bandits’ attack”, he said .
The state Commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, sympathised with the people over the attack.
His words: “Our thoughts are with the people of Illai and Okeagi at this trying moment. I am aware that efforts are ongoing to restore security to the area. I have also spoken with the Council Chairman of Mopamuro and other people concerned. We will triumph by the grace of God.”
