In a drastic move to safeguard worshippers, all church activities have been halted indefinitely in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. This decisive order was issued jointly by the traditional authority, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the area.
Credible Threats Prompt Unprecedented Security Measure
The suspension, announced on Friday, December 19, 2025, comes as a direct response to a series of severe security breaches and credible intelligence reports indicating that churches are being targeted by armed bandits. The decision was finalized during an emergency meeting convened at the Obaro's palace, which brought together traditional rulers and leaders of various churches under the CAN umbrella.
Reverend Kayode Osatuyie, the Coordinator of CAN in Kabba/Bunu LGA, confirmed the directive. He stated that the closure of all church services was mandated "upon credible security report on attack by the bandits to our churches." The local CAN leadership has consulted with the state chapter of the association and is urging total compliance from every congregation to ensure public safety.
A Context of Rising Violence and Kidnappings
This preventive action is set against a backdrop of escalating violence in Kogi State. Just hours before the notice was issued, the state was rocked by another major incident. Armed bandits, numbering about 40, invaded Inele-Ugoh village in the Olamaboro local government area in the early hours of Friday, December 19. They abducted nine individuals, including a mother and her three children.
The threat to places of worship is not merely theoretical. On Sunday, November 30, 2025, gunmen attacked the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, located in the Yagba West Local Government Area. The assailants stormed the service, kidnapping the pastor and throwing the entire community into chaos. Furthermore, security operatives in the state have recently recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, underscoring the heightened level of danger.
Community on High Alert
The suspension of church activities represents one of the most significant community-led security responses in recent times. It echoes similar measures taken elsewhere, such as the suspension of a popular Igbo festival in another region due to gunmen's attacks. The order from the palace and CAN highlights the critical role traditional and religious institutions are playing in filling security gaps and protecting citizens.
For now, the faithful in Kabba/Bunu LGA are left to pray in the safety of their homes, awaiting a time when the security situation improves enough for congregational worship to safely resume. The directive remains in effect until further notice, with no indication of when churches might reopen.
