Fear and tension gripped Ejiba Community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State after bandits stormed a Cherubim and Seraphim Church during a service, abducting the pastor, his wife and several worshipers. The attack, which occurred in the middle of the Sunday service, left residents in shock as worshippers were forced into the bush at gunpoint. The incident came just hours after another abduction along the Isanlu-Makutu-Idofin road in Yagba East, highlighting the rising wave of insecurity across the same axis.

Locals reported that the gunmen mounted a blockade along the route for hours, intercepting vehicles and taking occupants hostage. While the exact number of victims kidnapped along the Isanlu-Makutu-Idofin road remains uncertain, eyewitnesses said at least three vehicles ran into the ambush. All passengers were whisked away except one individual who managed a narrow escape, further fueling anxiety among residents already troubled by frequent attacks.

However, news trickled in on Monday that military personnel and local vigilantes trailed the abductors into the forest, engaging them in a fierce gun battle. Some victims were reportedly rescued during the operation, offering a glimmer of hope to the traumatized communities. As security agencies intensify efforts to track down the remaining captives and dismantle criminal hideouts, can these coordinated interventions finally curb the growing insecurity in the region? Visit www.jocomms.com for more news