Gunmen stormed a night vigil on Lokoja Mountain in Kogi State, abducting worshippers. Local vigilantes intervened, rescuing one woman, while a search continues for the others. The incident highlights growing security concerns in Nigeria's rural areas.
On Friday evening, gunmen launched a violent attack on worshippers gathered for a night vigil at a remote mountain site in the Egbola area of Lokoja Local Government Area in Kogi State. The attack, which targeted the peaceful religious gathering, saw an unspecified number of worshippers abducted at gunpoint.
According to local sources, the attackers arrived at the prayer site under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically into the air to instill fear among the worshippers. Panic ensued as the assailants moved swiftly to abduct several individuals, forcibly dragging them into the dense surrounding bush.
However, in a twist of fate, one of the worshippers, identified as Mary Adams Gure, was fortunate enough to escape the clutches of the attackers amidst the chaos. Gure managed to flee the scene, finding safety after being rescued by the Kogi State vigilante services. Upon receiving the alarm, local vigilantes launched a quick response, engaging in a gunfight with the perpetrators. During this confrontation, Gure was able to break free from her captors and make her way to safety.
The vigilante group continues to lead search efforts in hopes of locating the remaining abducted worshippers. However, despite the swift response from the local security forces, the whereabouts of the other victims remain unknown.
The attack has raised fresh concerns about the rising insecurity in Kogi State, particularly in remote areas. Efforts are underway to locate the abducted individuals, but local authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Local police, despite repeated attempts to reach them for comment, have not responded to inquiries regarding the abduction. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of combating armed criminal groups operating in the region, despite efforts by local law enforcement and vigilante groups to enhance security.
As the search continues, the situation remains tense, with local communities urging both the government and security agencies to take more aggressive measures to curb such incidents in the future. The abduction of innocent worshippers during a religious ceremony has left the community shaken, and the outcome of the ongoing search operation remains to be seen.
