Stop Holding Vigil Services: Kogi Govt Warns Churches Amid Terrorism Threat

In a bid to curb the rising wave of banditry targeting religious gatherings, the Kogi State Government has issued a fresh warning to churches across the state, mandating strict adherence to security protocols that prohibit late-hour religious activities. This directive comes amid credible intelligence reports of an impending attack on a church in Ijumu Local Government Area (LGA), where criminals are reportedly plotting to exploit night services for kidnappings.  

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, in a statement released on Tuesday, revealed that intercepted conversations among suspected bandits highlighted a specific church in Ijumu that continues to hold services late into the night, making it a prime target. The bandits were overheard boasting about potential ransom earnings from abducting worshippers during such gatherings.

Fanwo emphasized that while security agencies have activated coordinated measures to thwart the plot, the incident underscores the urgent need for compliance with the state’s preventive directives. “We have observed with deep concern that despite clear security advisories, some churches still operate late into the night. This is unacceptable in the face of prevailing security challenges,” Fanwo stated. He reiterated that no church is permitted to hold services beyond 4:00 pm, particularly those in isolated or bushy environments, which must seek safer alternatives immediately to protect their members.

The commissioner warned that violators would face sanctions, as such actions not only endanger congregants but also strain security resources. “This decision is not targeted at faith or worship. It is a safety-first approach designed to protect lives. Any church that deliberately disregards this protocol constitutes a security risk to its members,” he added. Security operatives have been instructed to enforce the ban by preventing pastors from conducting night vigils, with the government’s focus shifting towards crime prevention rather than reactive responses. “Our intention is to prevent crime, not to begin running helter-skelter to secure the release of kidnapped victims,” Fanwo stressed.

This warning follows a series of disturbing bandit attacks on churches in Kogi West Senatorial District, including Yagba West and Kabba-Bunu LGAs. As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, on November 30, 2025, armed bandits stormed a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA, abducting Pastor Orlando, his wife, and several worshippers during a morning service. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as congregants fled in panic, with the attackers using drones for surveillance prior to the raid.

Just weeks later, in mid-December 2025, another attack targeted the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba-Bunu LGA, resulting in one death and the abduction of over 20 people, including children.

These incidents have heightened fears among residents, prompting calls from groups like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for churches in vulnerable areas to suspend operations temporarily.

In a related development, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, led by Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, recently overran a notorious terrorist enclave linked to kingpins Kachalla Ibrahim and Shu’aibu. The operation yielded over 2,000 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition and a box of high-velocity grenades, after which the camp was destroyed to prevent future use.

Kogi State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, hailed the military’s efforts as “timely and decisive,” while Fanwo affirmed that clearance operations continue under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to eradicating criminality through aggressive and preventive strategies.

The government dismissed claims that the directives indicate weakness, asserting its proactive stance against bandits who have increasingly targeted agrarian communities in Ijumu, Yagba East, and West LGAs. Reports indicate that many villages remain deserted, with schools and farms abandoned due to fear of attacks.

Religious leaders have been urged to collaborate with security agencies to maintain peace. NaijaChoice News gathered that joint operations, including Operation Accord III, are ongoing in flashpoints like Ofere Forest and the Bunu axis to dismantle bandit networks.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. For more updates on Kogi State security, banditry in Nigeria, and exclusive reports, stay tuned to NaijaChoice News – your trusted source for timely and accurate information.