Worshippers attending a prayer session on a remote mountain in Egbola, along Agbaja Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, were reportedly attacked and abducted by gunmen during a night vigil on Friday.
The area, known for its mountainous terrain, became the scene of chaos as the assailants invaded the prayer ground, shooting sporadically to create panic before forcefully taking several worshippers into the nearby bush.
One of the abducted individuals, a woman identified as Mary Adams Gure, was fortunate to be rescued during a confrontation between the gunmen and local vigilante operatives.
“The vigilantes were mobilized quickly in response to the attack; and in the process, Gure was rescued,” a vigilante source revealed.
“Gure managed to escape and later found safety, thanks to the swift intervention of local vigilante members who were alerted and got to the scene of the incident on time.”
According to the source, the attackers launched their assault suddenly, firing into the air to scare the worshippers before seizing and taking them away under the cover of darkness.
A search-and-rescue mission is currently ongoing as local security operatives intensify efforts to track down the abductors and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.
When contacted for comments, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP William Aya, did not respond to calls and messages as the time of filing this report.
