Gunmen reportedly stormed a prayer gathering on a remote mountain in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting several worshippers during a late-night vigil. The event took place at Egbola, a quiet location along Agbaja Road, known for its spiritual significance and regular religious activities.
The attack occurred on Friday night as worshippers gathered on the mountain for prayers. According to witnesses, the gunmen arrived at the site in large numbers and began shooting into the air to create panic before seizing their victims. The sudden burst of gunfire sent the crowd into confusion, making it easier for the armed men to capture their targets.
One woman, identified as Mary Adams Gure, was later rescued by members of the Kogi State Vigilante Service. The vigilante team, after receiving information about the attack, quickly moved to the location and engaged the attackers in a shootout.
During the confrontation, they were able to recover Mary from the kidnappers.
A source familiar with the situation noted, “The attackers stormed the prayer ground, firing sporadically to instil fear before forcefully whisking the worshippers into the bush.”
It remains unclear exactly how many people were taken, as security operatives and local residents are still trying to determine the full scale of the incident. Efforts to rescue the remaining abductees are ongoing, and local security forces are said to be combing the nearby forest in search of the kidnappers.
