Fear Grips Kogi Community After Gunmen Abduct Pastor Others

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An atmosphere of fear has descended on Okoro Gbedde, a community in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, following the abduction of a pastor by suspected armed bandits.

The victim, a cleric with Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), was reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his farm along the Okeoffin–Okoro Gbedde road.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the pastor was travelling on a motorcycle with a commercial rider when they unexpectedly encountered the armed attackers along the route. Panic reportedly ensued as residents nearby became aware of the unfolding incident.

According to community sources, the pastor jumped off the motorcycle upon sighting the gunmen. While the commercial rider managed to escape without injury, the pastor was seized by the attackers and taken to an undisclosed location.

As at the time of filing this report, the abductors had not contacted the pastor’s family or church leaders, and no ransom demand had been made.

The incident has further heightened anxiety among residents of Okoro Gbedde and neighbouring communities, many of whom say insecurity along rural roads has worsened significantly. Locals lament that farming activities and routine movement have become increasingly risky due to frequent attacks.

This latest abduction adds to a growing list of violent incidents targeting residents and church-related activities in Kogi State.

Only days earlier, tension erupted in Ogbe and surrounding communities following a bandit attack along the Ogbe–Egbe axis. The assault reportedly left one person injured and five others kidnapped.

The victims were said to be travelling to Egbe to attend a wedding ceremony when they were ambushed at the boundary between Ogbe and Koro communities. Witnesses reported that the attackers opened fire on the travellers, shooting one individual while others attempted to escape.

“One person sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital, while five others were taken into the bush by the attackers,” a resident disclosed.

As of the time of this report, the identities of both the injured victim and those abducted had not been officially confirmed.

Following the incident, residents of Ogbe, Egbe, and nearby communities expressed renewed concern over what they described as deteriorating security on rural roads. Many noted that the Ogbe–Egbe route has become particularly dangerous for travellers, especially those attending social events or commuting between villages.

Community members have appealed to security agencies and the Kogi State Government to urgently increase patrols along the affected routes to curb further attacks and restore public confidence.