Community leaders in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, have recounted the traumatic experience faced by residents after armed bandits attacked two churches, killing a seminary graduate and abducting at least 37 worshippers.
The leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the assailants struck on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during services at the First ECWA Church and The Apostolic Church.
They explained that the bandits exploited the calm of worship to launch a coordinated assault, trapping congregants inside.
While some worshippers managed to hide inside the Apostolic Church, many others, including children and elderly persons, were unable to escape.
At least 37 people were taken, including more than 10 elderly persons over 70 years old and 12 children aged between three and eight.
The community leaders said the attackers operated with impunity for several hours. Some captives were reportedly forced at gunpoint to return home to collect money before being taken to unknown locations.
During the raid, student pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, popularly known as JJ, who had just returned from seminary, was shot dead, while two others sustained injuries.
They described the killing of the young graduate as heartbreaking, noting that his death has plunged the community into mourning.
The leaders recalled that this is the third major security breach in Aiyetoro Kiri this year, following a March kidnapping of five residents and a November attack in which a man was killed and fuel stolen.
According to the leaders, Aiyetoro Kiri has increasingly become a corridor for bandits accessing hideouts, a problem worsened by the absence of sustained government-backed security in the area.
They warned that without urgent intervention, the community and the wider Bunu District remain vulnerable to further attacks.
As of the fourth day after the incident, the abducted worshippers were still being held captive.
The kidnappers reportedly contacted the community on December 15 to draw government attention, and on December 16 demanded a ransom of ₦600 million, threatening dire consequences if their demands were not met.
The leaders urged federal and state authorities to act swiftly to secure the release of the captives and prevent further bloodshed.