On Sunday, December 14, armed bandits attacked the First ECWA Church in Kogi State, Nigeria, killing at least one and kidnapping several more.
Very little details are currently available. Sahara Reporters only confirm the latest church attack in Kogi State, which is in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, name the deceased and share that an unknown number of people were taken.
This is the second attack in Kogi State over the past weeks. On November 30, armed attackers entered the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kogi State during the morning service.
Local Open Doors contacts report that the attackers entered the church during the service sporadically shooting. People started running, trying to get away. In the chaos, the pastor, his wife and several worshippers were kidnapped. Sahara Reporters share that ransom was requested for the pastor and those taken, but no update was received.
Kidnap for ransom is widespread across parts of northern Nigeria, but bandits and Fulani militants are best known to make use of this. Not only is it a lucrative operation, but it also impoverishes families and communities who often have to sell everything they own to pay the ransom demands.
Pray with us
Pray that these violent attack on churches and communities in northern Nigeria will be stopped.
Pray for a peaceful Christmas and that Christians in northern Nigeria will be able to celebrate in churches and with their families.
Pray that all those who have been kidnapped will be freed and be safely reunited with their families.
