Residents of Aiyetoro Kiri in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State have condemned the worsening state of insecurity in their community and renewed calls for urgent government intervention to protect lives and property.
The residents appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, to ensure due process and secure the immediate release of 37 worshippers who were abducted by suspected bandits during a recent attack on the community.
They also alleged that a seminary graduate, Pastor Jimoh Adeyemi, was killed in the course of the attack, while two other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to community sources, the incident has thrown Aiyetoro Kiri into fear and uncertainty, with residents expressing concern over what they described as the growing presence of armed groups in the area and the apparent lack of adequate security.
The residents said the abduction of worshippers, many of whom were attending a religious programme, underscored the vulnerability of rural communities and the urgent need for improved security measures.
They urged both the federal and state governments to deploy additional security personnel to the area, intensify surveillance, and take decisive steps to prevent further attacks.
The community also called on security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the abducted worshippers and bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing that continued silence and delay could further endanger innocent lives.
The residents warned that unless urgent action is taken, insecurity could worsen, disrupt daily life, and undermine peace in the community and surrounding areas.
