The gunmen who stormed the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have reportedly contacted the family of the church’s pastor, Orlando, demanding an enormous ₦500 million ransom for his release.
Several worshippers were also taken during the early-morning attack on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Family sources who spoke to newsmen confirmed the ransom demand, though the exact number of abducted congregants remains unclear.
Security agencies have not announced any official negotiations but are said to be closely tracking the situation.
In the aftermath of the invasion, the Kogi State Government condemned the incident in strong terms. The Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, described the assault on the church as both “alarming and intolerable,” stressing that such acts threaten the peace the state has worked hard to maintain.
To counter the attackers and rescue the victims, the state immediately initiated an extensive security deployment—combining aerial surveillance with coordinated ground operations.
Viral videos on social media show a state-owned helicopter sweeping through forested areas while anti-kidnapping units comb nearby communities.
Fanwo noted that Yagba West’s position as a border local government area has made it a recurring target for criminal elements.
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He expressed concerns over possible internal collaborators and the vulnerability of isolated religious centers, emphasizing that the state will intensify efforts to prevent a recurrence.
Authorities continue to urge residents to provide credible intelligence as the manhunt for the attackers progresses.
