A pastor of the Living Faith Church, popularly known as Winners Chapel, has been kidnapped by armed bandits in Okoro Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, deepening fears over worsening insecurity in the region.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the pastor was travelling on a commercial motorcycle to his farm along the Okeoffin–Okoro Gbedde axis on Saturday when armed assailants intercepted them. Upon sighting the bandits, the pastor reportedly jumped off the motorcycle in an attempt to flee.
While the commercial rider escaped unhurt, the pastor was seized by the attackers and taken to an undisclosed location.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the family of the abducted cleric nor the Living Faith Church had been contacted by the kidnappers, and no ransom demand had been communicated.
The incident has triggered palpable fear among residents of Okoro Gbedde and neighbouring communities, many of whom now express concern over routine movements along rural paths and farmlands.
This abduction comes amid a troubling pattern of targeted attacks on religious institutions in Kogi State. On Sunday, December 14, 2025, gunmen reportedly invaded the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, abducting worshippers during church services.
Community sources revealed that the attackers later demanded a ransom of ₦600 million, insisting on negotiating directly with the government. At least 37 worshippers were reportedly abducted in that attack, including children and elderly persons.
Tragically, the assault also claimed the life of a seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, popularly known as JJ, while two other victims sustained injuries. Among those abducted were over 12 children aged between three and eight years, as well as more than 10 worshippers above the age of 70.
According to residents, the bandits operated unhindered for hours, surrounding the community and even forcing some captives to return home to raise ransom funds before being taken away.
The latest abduction has renewed calls for urgent security intervention in Kogi State, particularly in rural and faith-based communities increasingly exposed to violent attacks.
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