Bandits Kidnap Living Faith Church Pastor And Four Others In Kogi State

A pastor from Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) was abducted by armed bandits in Okoro Gbedde, within the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In a separate incident, bandits raided Odo-Ere in Yagba West Local Government Area, taking four people captive.

The pastor’s abduction occurred on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as he traveled to his farm.

Witnesses reported that the pastor was riding with a commercial motorcycle operator along the Okeoffin–Okoro Gbedde route when attackers ambushed them.

According to sources, when the kidnappers appeared, the pastor “leaped from the motorcycle.”

“The motorcycle operator successfully fled without injury, but the pastor was seized and transported to an undisclosed destination,” one source stated.

At the time this report was compiled, neither the pastor’s relatives nor his church had been approached by the abductors, and no ransom request had been issued.

Related: Bandits Kill One, Kidnap Worshippers During Church Service in Kogi State

Regarding the Odo-Ere incident, armed assailants stormed the community on Sunday evening, December 28, 2025, capturing Engr. Shina Ajere, Mr. Kehinde Afolabi, Damiola Ogun, and a woman known locally as Iya Lara.

Local reports suggest the situation is still developing, with concerns about possibly more victims, as community members work to identify who remains missing.

The assault has created widespread fear in Odo-Ere, with gunfire reportedly echoing throughout sections of the town, compelling people to stay inside their homes.

Security authorities had not issued any official communication by the time this report was prepared.