EXCLUSIVE: Over 37 Worshippers, Including Children, Kidnapped In Kogi Church Attack; N600Million Ransom Demanded

The gunmen who attacked the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi State, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, have contacted the community, demanding a ransom of N600 million.

Aiyetoro Kiri, a community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was recently rocked by a brazen attack on two churches, leaving 37 worshippers, including children and elderly individuals, in captivity. 

The assault, which took place on Sunday, December 14, 2025, targeted the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church.

According to community sources, the attackers made contact with residents on December 15, stating that they wanted to negotiate directly with the government. 

On December 16, they demanded a ransom of N600 million, issuing an ultimatum to the victims’ families and warning of severe consequences if the demand was not met.

SaharaReporters learnt that the attack has claimed the life of a seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, also known as JJ, while two others sustained injuries. 

Over 12 children aged between three and eight years and more than 10 elderly worshippers over 70 were reportedly among those abducted. 

“The attackers, who surrounded the community, targeted worshippers at the churches, taking advantage of the peaceful gathering,” a community source said. 

“While some churchgoers managed to hide inside the Apostolic Church, children who couldn't escape were abducted. Among the kidnapped victims were more than 10 elderly people who were over 70 years of age and over 12 children ranging from 3-8 years old.”

“The bandits operated freely for hours, even forcing some captives to return home to collect ransom money before taking them away,” the source added.  

The attack has sparked widespread concern among the Bunu people, as the incident has been underreported and suppressed.

Some captives were reportedly forced to return home to collect money before being taken away, underscoring the attackers’ audacity.

This latest incident is the third attack on Aiyetoro Kiri in 2025. 

On March 27, five individuals were kidnapped and later released after a ransom payment in July, while a November 26 raid resulted in the killing of one person and the seizure of petroleum products. 

Community leaders say Aiyetoro Kiri appears to be a strategic route for the bandits traveling to and from their hideouts.

Residents have expressed deep concern over the lack of government-backed security presence in the area, calling for urgent intervention to prevent further attacks. 

The latest incident, which has entered its fourth day, has yet to elicit significant local, national, or international response, leaving the community anxious for the safe return of their loved ones.

The attacks highlight the escalating insecurity in Bunu District and the urgent need for government action to protect citizens and restore confidence in the safety of communities along known bandit routes.

Community Residents Flee

Earlier on Thursday, SaharaReporters revealed that Aiyetoro Kiri had become largely deserted, as residents abandoned their homes amid rising security fears.

As of Thursday morning, December 18, 2025, streets were eerily quiet, homes left empty, and families were seen relocating to nearby towns and villages in search of safety.

Community sources confirmed that the mass exodus followed a violent attack on the First ECWA Church in Aiyetoro Kiri on Sunday, during which armed assailants stormed the church and kidnapped many people.

“This town is empty now. People are not waiting to be next,” a local resident told SaharaReporters.

“When a church is attacked and people are taken just like that, you start packing your life into bags.”

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, a resident recorded the deserted Aiyetoro Kiri community, with no one visible in the area. The footage shows locked doors and the only sounds being those of roosters crowing.

The video also captures a lorry carrying residents fleeing the town in fear of bandit attacks, as well as several broken windows, which the recorder attributed to the assailants.

“See, there is no one. All of us have left the village. You can see all the doors; they are all closed. We are tired and we don’t know what to do. All these bandits have ‘killed’ our village. On Sunday, 14th of December, they entered our village. Now, see everywhere,” he said in pidgin English.

“They have taken people to the bush, close to 40 people. Please, help us. It is only fowls you can see. Everybody has left. See how they broke all those windows.”