By Parrot Newspaper Gunmen Abduct Worshippers in Lokoja During Mountain Vigil
A peaceful night of worship turned into a terrifying ordeal on Friday, as gunmen descended on a mountain prayer site in Egbola, a quiet settlement along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting several worshippers in the dead of night.
The assailants struck during a night vigil, catching the faithful off guard. Eyewitnesses say the attackers arrived armed and aggressive, firing sporadically into the air to instil fear before herding an unspecified number of worshippers into the surrounding forest.
In the midst of the chaos, a woman identified as Mary Adams Gure managed to escape. Her rescue was credited to the rapid response of Kogi State’s vigilante service, which was alerted and mobilized to the scene without delay. A gun duel reportedly ensued as the vigilantes engaged the kidnappers, forcing a temporary retreat that enabled Gure to flee to safety.
“She was rescued in the heat of the exchange,” a vigilante member revealed. “We acted swiftly when we got the distress call. While we couldn’t reach all the abductees, her escape was a glimmer of hope. We’re not backing down until the others are found.”
The ongoing search-and-rescue operation has mobilized both local vigilantes and community volunteers, scouring the bush in hopes of tracing the captives or intercepting the kidnappers.
As of the time of this report, the Kogi State Police Command has remained silent. Multiple attempts to reach the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya, went unanswered.
The incident adds to a growing list of insecurity challenges facing Kogi, particularly in its rural and remote communities. Prayer mountains, usually seen as sanctuaries of peace and spiritual fortification, are now being haunted by fear and violence.
Many in the state are calling for increased security presence and quicker police response to such attacks, especially in known hotspots.
For the worshippers of Egbola, Friday night was not just a test of faith—it was a night they may never forget. And as the search continues, one can only hope the remaining captives return safely, and those responsible are brought to justice.