Bandits, who abducted 14 worshippers from a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have issued a two-day ultimatum to the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million.
The initial ransom demand was reportedly ₦500 million before it was reduced. According to Sahara Reporters, the criminals warned that failure to meet the demand within the deadline would result in “consequences” for the hostages.
The abduction occurred on November 30, 2025, when the attackers raided the newly established church during a service.
The 14 abducted victims include the presiding pastor, popularly known as Orlando, and seven members of his household, including six children. The hostages also include a three-week-old baby and a four-month-old infant.
A video circulating on social media captures the desperate appeal of the pastor’s family, who are facing the rapidly approaching deadline.
Four women, including the elderly wife of Pastor Orlando (who was also abducted along with six children), were seen kneeling and pleading with Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo for urgent intervention.
The elderly woman implored: “Please, come to our rescue. The amount the kidnappers are demanding is beyond our means.”
The situation is growing increasingly desperate as the 48-hour ultimatum nears.
Despite reports from families that the government had not made a public statement over a week after the incident, search results show that the Kogi State Government had confirmed the attack and launched security operations immediately after the incident.
On November 30, 2025, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, confirmed the attack and strongly condemned it.
The government stated that Governor Usman Ododo was coordinating a manhunt involving conventional and local security networks. The government also reiterated its stance not to negotiate with bandits, stressing its capacity to confront criminal networks.
Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja confirmed the rescue of six kidnapped victims in the Ejiba and Saminaka Forest axis on December 3, 2025, noting that the persons were released due to sustained military pressure.
However, the fate of the remaining eight hostages, including Pastor Orlando and the children, remains critical as the ransom deadline approaches.
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