Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, Managing Editor | Journalist at Sele Media Africa.

Armed assailants have abducted eight members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) during a Sunday worship service in Kwara State, in what marks yet another alarming escalation of targeted attacks on religious institutions in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
According to confirmed reports from church authorities and local sources, the attackers stormed the church premises during an active service, disrupting worship and forcibly taking away congregants. Among those abducted is the wife of the church pastor, heightening fears for the safety of victims and underscoring the increasingly indiscriminate nature of such attacks. The incident reportedly occurred in a rural community where security presence remains limited, allowing the gunmen to operate with little immediate resistance. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as worshippers fled for safety while the attackers selected and marched away their victims at gunpoint. In an official statement, ECWA leadership expressed deep concern over the abduction, condemning the attack as a direct assault on religious freedom and community peace. The church called on security agencies at both state and federal levels to act swiftly to secure the safe release of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. “This is a painful and unacceptable development,” the statement read. “Places of worship should remain sanctuaries of peace, not targets for violence and terror.” Local authorities have confirmed the incident and stated that security operatives have been deployed to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted individuals. However, as of the time of filing this report, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, and the whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.
The Kwara State Police Command has assured the public that efforts are underway to intensify surveillance and coordinate with local vigilante groups and intelligence networks to apprehend those responsible. Community leaders have also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
This attack adds to a growing pattern of insecurity affecting parts of Kwara and neighboring states, where incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and armed violence have increasingly targeted rural populations and vulnerable institutions, including schools and places of worship. Analysts note that such attacks are often driven by criminal motives, particularly ransom demands, though the broader implications for national security and intercommunal stability remain significant. Security experts have repeatedly warned that the spread of violent criminal networks into previously stable regions signals a troubling shift in Nigeria’s security landscape. Kwara, once considered relatively insulated from the levels of violence seen in the North-West and North-East, has in recent months recorded a rise in kidnapping incidents along major highways and remote communities. Civil society organizations and religious groups have renewed calls for a more proactive and intelligence-driven approach to security, emphasizing the need for improved rural policing, community engagement, and rapid response mechanisms. Meanwhile, families of the abducted victims are said to be in distress, appealing to the government and security agencies to act swiftly. The church community has also mobilized prayers and support efforts, reflecting both resilience and deep concern amid the unfolding crisis.
As investigations continue, the incident raises urgent questions about the safety of public gatherings and the capacity of security institutions to protect citizens, particularly in underserved areas. It also reinforces the need for sustained national attention on the evolving threats posed by non-state armed actors across Nigeria. Sources: BBC News, Channels Television, Premium Times, Vanguard Nigeria, Reuters.

Afilawos Magana Sur

Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.

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