A pastor of the Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, has been reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits in Okoro Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, in an incident that has further heightened fears over the worsening security situation in the state.
According to eyewitness accounts, the abduction occurred on Saturday as the pastor was on his way to his farm. He was reportedly travelling on a motorcycle along the Okeoffin Okoro Gbedde axis, accompanied by a commercial motorcycle rider, when they were suddenly confronted by armed assailants suspected to be bandits.
Sources said that upon sighting the kidnappers, the pastor reportedly jumped off the motorcycle in an attempt to escape. While the commercial rider managed to flee the scene and escaped unharmed, the pastor was seized by the attackers and taken to an unknown location in the surrounding bush.
As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had not made contact with the pastor’s family, the church, or the local community, and no ransom demand had been communicated. The incident has sparked panic and anxiety among residents of Okoro Gbedde and neighbouring communities, many of whom have expressed concern over repeated attacks and kidnappings in the area.
Community members say the abduction has disrupted daily activities, with residents becoming more cautious about travelling on rural roads, especially farmers who rely on early morning movements to their farmlands.
The latest incident comes amid a series of violent attacks on religious institutions in Kogi State. In a similar and earlier incident, gunmen attacked the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, during church services.
During the coordinated attack, at least 37 worshippers, including children and elderly individuals, were reportedly abducted. The attackers later contacted the community, demanding a ransom of N600 million for the release of the victims.
Community sources disclosed that on December 15, the gunmen stated that they wanted to negotiate directly with the government. By December 16, they reportedly issued an ultimatum, demanding the N600 million ransom and warning of severe consequences if the demand was not met.
Sources later told SaharaReporters that the attack claimed the life of a seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, also known as JJ, while two other worshippers sustained injuries during the ordeal.
Reports further indicated that among those abducted were more than 12 children aged between three and eight years, as well as over 10 elderly worshippers above the age of 70.
According to a community source, the attackers surrounded the area and deliberately targeted worshippers, taking advantage of the peaceful nature of church gatherings.
“While some churchgoers managed to hide inside the Apostolic Church, children who could not escape were abducted. Among the victims were elderly people over 70 years old and children between three and eight years,” the source said.
The source also alleged that the bandits operated freely for several hours, even forcing some captives to return to their homes to collect ransom money before leading them away.
The repeated attacks have intensified calls from residents, religious leaders, and civil society groups for increased security presence and urgent government intervention to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and violence against places of worship in Kogi State and neighbouring regions.
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