A peaceful church service in a rural farming town was abruptly disrupted on Tuesday evening when armed men stormed into the Christ Apostolic Church, firing shots and causing panic among the congregation. The assailants killed two individuals and kidnapped the pastor along with several other worshippers, according to local authorities. The incident, which was being live-streamed, has amplified the ongoing security concerns in central and northern Nigeria.
State police are treating the incident as part of a wider security crisis affecting the region and have initiated a search operation in the nearby wilderness. The violent intrusion has increased pressure on local and national officials to address the escalating incidents of killings and kidnappings in rural communities. In response, the governor has ordered an increase in security deployments.
The attack occurred during an evening worship session at the church located near the Kogi state border. A video of the incident, captured on a parishioner’s phone, shows the congregation singing and clapping before the first shots are fired. The armed men then enter the church, causing the camera to dip as people scramble for cover. According to a witness, the assailants rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and took them into the bush while gunfire continued outside.
The victims of the attack were identified as Tunde Ajayi and a man known locally as Mr. Aderemi. A local vigilante, Segun Ajala, was treated for gunshot wounds at a nearby hospital. Police responded to reports of gunfire around 6 p.m. and escorted medical workers into the area as the gunmen fled. Witnesses reported that the assailants spent about five minutes in the church, seizing personal belongings before forcing people outside at gunpoint.
Residents reported that the assailants returned briefly around 11:20 p.m., causing more people to hide in their homes while local vigilantes called for help. The town, located less than three miles from a military post, has raised questions about how the attackers managed to enter and exit the area despite the presence of security forces.
The attack comes amidst a backdrop of increasing violence from armed gangs and insurgent groups. Central Nigeria, where the town is located, has been plagued by violence related to land use and cattle grazing disputes, often with ethnic and religious undertones. In addition, extremist factions continue to carry out raids and kidnappings. Just two days prior to the church attack, 24 schoolgirls were kidnapped by gunmen at a boarding school in the northwest, sparking nationwide outrage.
In response to the attack, additional police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol the area. Police units are searching huts used by illegal loggers and seasonal herders and have set up checkpoints on the main road out of town. Investigators are reviewing the church video and other clips filmed by residents to identify the attackers. As of Wednesday evening, the exact number of abducted worshippers remained unclear and no arrests had been made.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the community. Those who watched the live stream described the sudden shift from music to panic as a nightmare. The church, a central part of the community, has suspended evening services until further notice. As night fell on Wednesday, police patrols expanded their search area, planning additional searches at first light on Thursday.