A video has surfaced showing members of the First ECWA Church who were abducted by suspected bandits during a violent attack on Aiyetoro Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The 38-second footage, shared by Egbe Mekun Parrot and sighted by SaharaReporters, shows elderly men and women alongside young children appearing weak and distressed in what seems to be a forest location.
The abduction followed a coordinated assault on worshippers at the First ECWA Church and the Apostolic Church in Aiyetoro Kiri on Sunday, December 14, 2025. SaharaReporters had earlier obtained the identities of several victims taken during the raid.
Sources disclosed that a seminary graduate, identified as Student Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, popularly known as J.J., was killed during the attack, while at least 37 worshippers — including children and elderly residents — were abducted. Two other individuals reportedly sustained injuries.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers surrounded the community and targeted worshippers during Sunday service. While some congregants were able to hide inside the Apostolic Church, several children who failed to escape were taken. Among the abducted were more than 10 elderly persons aged above 70 and over 12 children between the ages of three and eight.
Residents said the assailants operated freely for several hours, forcing some captives to return home to collect ransom money before leading them away. The scale and boldness of the attack were described as unprecedented by community members.
The incident marks the third major bandit attack on Aiyetoro Kiri in 2025. On March 27, five residents were abducted and held for over four months before their release on July 12 after ransom payments. Another attack occurred on November 26, during which one person was killed and petroleum products were seized as bandits passed through the area. Locals believe the community lies along a strategic route used by bandits to access their hideouts.
Those confirmed abducted include Elder Abraham Obagbemi, Elder Thomas Tolufashe, Elder David Omonaiye, Mr. David Solomon, Mr. Joseph Jeremiah, Mrs. Alice Atteh, Mrs. Esther Atteh, Mrs. Mary Adebayo, Mrs. Esther Braimoh and Rebecca Daniel. Others are Mrs. Funmilayo Peter, Mrs. Rachael Oshe, Mrs. Abigail Oshe, Tobi Owonibi, James Bello Adebayo, Bosede Samuel, Mrs. Elesho, Pamilerin Atteh, Daniel Atteh, two children of Ojo Oloruntoba, three children of Mrs. Funmi, two children of Mrs. Tobi and two children of Mr. Tuesday Adebayo.
On December 15, the bandits reportedly reached out to the community, demanding government attention and insisting on negotiating directly with authorities rather than with the victims’ families.
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