BREAKING: Living Faith (Winners Chapel) Pastor Kidnapped by Bandits While Going to Farm in Kogi State

A pastor of Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, has been kidnapped by armed bandits in Okoro Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident occurred on Saturday as the pastor was riding a motorcycle to his farm along the Okeoffin–Okoro Gbedde axis with a commercial rider. Eyewitnesses said the rider escaped, but the pastor was abducted and taken to an unknown location. As of the time of reporting, the kidnappers had not contacted the family or church, raising fresh fears amid growing insecurity in Kogi, where dozens of worshippers were recently abducted during coordinated church attacks.

DSS APPLAUDED FOR SPEEDY TRIAL OF SUSPECTED DEEPER LIFE CHURCH ATTACKERS

Hope has been rekindled in Otite, near Okene in Kogi State, as the long-stalled trial over the 2012 Deeper Life Bible Church massacre gains fresh momentum. Victims’ families, survivors, and community members have commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the re-arrest and swift arraignment of Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, the alleged Ansaru terror kingpin linked to the deadly attack.

In a letter addressed to the DSS, the affected community expressed renewed confidence in the justice process following Obadaki’s arraignment before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, shortly after his re-capture. The development is widely regarded as a turning point in a case that has lingered for more than a decade, restoring faith in the judicial system among those directly impacted by the tragedy.

It will be recalled that the August 7, 2012 attack claimed the lives of at least 19 worshippers and left several others injured when gunmen invaded a Bible study session at the church. Obadaki was subsequently linked to other violent crimes, including deadly bank raids. However, his escape during the 2022 Kuje prison jailbreak deepened the anguish of victims’ families and heightened fears that justice might never be served.

Those fears began to fade in November 2025 with his re-arrest and the filing of six terrorism-related charges. Although he pleaded guilty only to escaping lawful custody, the court ordered his continued detention and adjourned the trial to January 26, 2026. As proceedings resume, the people of Otite remain cautiously optimistic that justice—long delayed—may finally be within reach.

Video Shows Abducted ECWA Church Worshippers, Children, Elderly Distressed in Bandits’ Captivity After Kogi Church Attack

A distressing video has emerged showing worshippers abducted during the bandit attack on First ECWA Church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The 38-second footage reveals elderly victims and young children standing in a forest, confirming fears over the fate of those kidnapped during the December 14, 2025 attack. At least one worshipper, Student Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, was killed, while no fewer than 37 people were abducted. Residents say the bandits operated freely for hours, targeting church services and demanding ransom as insecurity continues to worsen in the area.

EXCLUSIVE: Names of Over 37 Worshippers, Including Children and Elderly, Kidnapped in Kogi’s Aiyetoro Kiri Church Attack

SaharaReporters has obtained the names of worshippers abducted during a violent bandit attack on the First ECWA Church and Apostolic Church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu LGA, Kogi State, on December 14, 2025. The attack left one seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi (JJ), dead, while at least 37 worshippers—including over 12 children aged 3–8 and more than 10 elderly individuals—were kidnapped. Bandits operated freely for hours, reportedly forcing some captives to fetch ransom money. They have demanded ₦600 million from the community, seeking direct negotiation with the government. The assault is the third major attack in the area this year, leaving residents in fear and prompting mass relocation.

BREAKING: Over 20 Worshippers Kidnapped As Gunmen Attack ECWA Church in Kogi State

No fewer than 20 worshippers were abducted on Sunday after heavily armed gunmen attacked the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The attackers stormed the church during an ongoing worship service, firing sporadically to cause panic before seizing several congregants and escaping through nearby bush paths. One person was reportedly killed in the attack, which has heightened fear and insecurity in the area. The incident marks the second church attack in Okun land within weeks, raising renewed concerns over worsening security and repeated assaults on places of worship in Kogi State.

BREAKING: Bandits Attack ECWA Church In Kogi, Kill One, Abduct Worshippers

Armed bandits attacked the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, during an early morning service on Sunday, December 14, 2025, killing one worshipper identified as Jayjay and abducting several others. The exact number of victims taken remains unclear as security agencies continue investigations. The incident marks the second church attack in Okun land within weeks, following a similar assault in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA, and has intensified fears over worsening insecurity in the area, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

Gunmen Kill Cleric’s Wife in Anambra Church Attack, Burn Priest’s Residence and Vehicles

Unknown gunmen launched a deadly attack on St. Andrews Anglican Church in Lilu, Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, killing the cleric’s wife and one other person. The assailants stormed the church early Sunday, shooting sporadically and setting the priest’s house, vehicles, and parts of the church building ablaze. Several residents were injured as worshippers fled for safety. Police authorities have condemned the attack and deployed joint security forces to restore calm, assuring that investigations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators.

BREAKING: Kogi Govt Deploys Helicopter, Anti-Kidnapping Squad After Church Attack

The Kogi State Government has launched both aerial and ground security operations following a violent attack on a Cherubim and Seraphim church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA.

Video footage shared by Egbe Emekun Parrot shows a state-deployed helicopter and anti-kidnapping unit combing the area in pursuit of the armed attackers.

During the assault, the church pastor, popularly known as Orlando, and an unconfirmed number of worshippers were reportedly abducted. Residents are anxious as the operation continues to track the perpetrators and secure the victims’ safe release.

Footage from the scene shows the church interior in disarray, with shoes and Bibles left behind. A witness filming said:

“I hid myself; this is the church where they kidnapped people… Baba Orlando, the head of this church, was taken. They didn’t even turn off the speaker.”

This attack adds to a worrying trend of violence against places of worship in Kogi and neighboring states. Just weeks ago, on November 18, bandits attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State, killing five people and abducting 38 worshippers, including women, children, and the elderly.

Security agencies successfully rescued the Kwara victims after coordinated operations, raising hopes that the Kogi abductees will also be freed safely.

Stay alert.
Stay informed.
Share to raise awareness.
More in the comment section.

#KogiInsecurity #ChurchAttack #NigeriaNews

Kwara Church Attack: 'We Couldn't Escape From Our Abductors,' Victim Narrates Ordeal.

Zulum Declares Statewide Fasting and Prayer as Attacks Rise Across Northern Nigeria

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has declared Monday, November 24, 2025, as a statewide day of fasting and prayer for peace and prosperity in Borno and across Nigeria. He made the announcement in a televised address on Saturday.

The governor’s declaration comes amid a surge in violent attacks targeting schools and religious centres in northern Nigeria. In Kwara State, schools in four local government areas were shut after a church attack left at least two worshippers dead and others abducted. In Kebbi, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a boarding school in Maga, while a vice-principal was killed. In Niger State, gunmen abducted 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri.

Zulum said the past 15 years of Boko Haram insurgency had deeply affected Borno, displacing millions and disrupting livelihoods. He noted that the relative peace recently achieved has boosted farming activities and that the state government remains committed to supporting agriculture for food security.

He called on all residents—regardless of religion—to join in the statewide fast and prayers, stressing that spiritual intervention is needed alongside security measures. Zulum urged citizens to seek God’s mercy and pray for lasting peace in Borno and the nation.

Court Denies Bail to Owo Church Attack Suspects Linked to Al-Shabaab.

Abuja, Nigeria A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bail applications of five men accused of carrying out the deadly June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left at least 41 worshippers dead and 69 others injured.

Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering the ruling on Wednesday, held that the terrorism charges against the defendants were capital in nature, given their alleged ties to Al-Shabaab, an international terror group said to have a sleeper cell in Kogi State.

The court upheld arguments from the Department of State Services (DSS) that releasing the suspects could jeopardize the trial, intimidate witnesses, and pose a serious judicial risk. Justice Nwite also noted procedural flaws in the bail motion, including the omission of the defendants’ names on the motion paper and the filing of a joint affidavit, which he ruled was contrary to legal requirements.

The judge further stressed that the accused failed to present credible sureties or convincing reasons to justify bail. “The evidence against them is weighty and cannot be glossed over,” he ruled, granting an accelerated trial and fixing October 19, 2025 for proceedings to commence.

The accused Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar face multiple counts under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including allegations that they conspired and held planning meetings before the Owo massacre.

The DSS had arrested the suspects following a nationwide manhunt ordered by then-President Muhammadu Buhari in the aftermath of the church attack, where gunmen detonated explosives and opened fire on congregants during mass.

While defense counsel Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim argued that the men had assembled “reliable and responsible sureties,” the court sided with DSS lawyer Callistus Eze, who opposed the application on grounds of security risks and flight concerns.

The suspects remain in DSS custody as the high-profile trial draws closer, with victims’ families and the Catholic community awaiting justice more than three years after the horrific assault.