…Bandits demand ₦600m ransom
Bandits who attacked two churches in Aiyetoro Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State, have abducted no fewer than 37 worshippers, including children and elderly persons, and are demanding a ransom of ₦600 million for their release.
The coordinated attacks occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when gunmen stormed the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church during worship services, taking advantage of the peaceful gatherings.
Community sources said the assailants contacted residents a day after the attack, on December 15, indicating their intention to negotiate directly with the government. By December 16, they issued a formal ransom demand of ₦600 million, accompanied by threats of dire consequences if the money was not paid.
It was gathered that the attack claimed the life of a seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, popularly known as JJ, while two other worshippers sustained gunshot injuries.
Among those abducted were over 12 children aged between three and eight years, as well as more than 10 elderly worshippers said to be above 70 years old.
A community source said, “The attackers surrounded the community and targeted worshippers inside the churches. Some people managed to hide inside the Apostolic Church, but many children who couldn’t escape were taken. More than 10 elderly people and over 12 children were abducted”.
The source added that the bandits operated unchallenged for several hours, forcing some captives to return to their homes to collect money before being led away. “They were bold and ruthless. Some people were taken back to their houses to bring money before being abducted. It shows how freely they operated,” the source added.
The incident has sparked outrage and fear among the Bunu people, who say the scale of the attack has been largely underreported and downplayed despite its severity. This is the third major attack on Aiyetoro Kiri in 2025 alone.
Community leaders say the town has become a vulnerable corridor for bandits moving to and from their hideouts, with little or no sustained security presence.
Residents have expressed deep frustration over what they describe as government neglect, calling for urgent deployment of security forces to protect lives and property and prevent further attacks.
