Three persons regain freedom as 27 others remain in bandits’ den after Kogi church attack

Three additional victims abducted during the deadly attack on an ECWA church in Ayetoro-Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been set free.

However, 27 others remain in the captivity of the armed bandits more than four weeks after the incident.

Recall that the attack happened on December 14, 2025, when heavily armed attackers invaded the church during a worship service, killing several people and abducting dozens of worshippers.

Business Hallmark learnt that as of January 1, a total of seven abducted persons have been released so far.

Meanwhile, four victims were freed alive, while three were confirmed dead.

Further findings revealed that two of the abductees died while still in captivity, while another victim later died at a hospital after being released due to complications sustained during detention.

In a new development, local platform Egbe Mekun reports that three more abductees were released on Monday, January 12, 2026, raising the number of those freed to seven.

Despite this, no fewer than 27 people are still being held by the terrorists, leaving families trapped in anguish, prayers, and painful waiting.

It was also confirmed that the Ayetoro-Kiri community paid a ransom of ₦15 million in a desperate effort to secure the release of their loved ones.

Community leaders said the funds were raised locally, with no financial support from the state or federal government.

The incident has intensified concerns over worsening insecurity in the Okun axis of Kogi State, where residents increasingly rely on self-help measures amid persistent attacks by armed groups.

Locals are now questioning how long communities will be forced to negotiate, pay ransoms, and bury their dead while bandits continue to operate freely, with little visible intervention from the authorities.

It would be recalled that bandits reportedly collected a ₦6million ransom from the family of a kidnapped farmer, Alabi Dada Babatege, popularly known as Old Soldier, but have failed to release him.

It was gathered that the abductors have since re-established contact with the family, demanding an additional ₦14 million alongside two Bajaj motorcycles as fresh conditions for his release.

Dada Babatege was kidnapped on the afternoon of December 12, 2025, from his farm located behind St. Kizito’s College in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State

Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck in broad daylight, storming the area and forcefully abducting the farmer before escaping into nearby bushes.

However, despite raising and paying the initial ₦6 million ransom under intense pressure, the kidnappers have refused to free him, instead escalating their demands.