In the wee hours of Saturday, robbers broke into New Life Gospel Church in Sarikinoma, a neighbourhood of Lokoja, the administrative centre of Kogi State.
The men, who showed up in large numbers, allegedly stormed the church as its elders gathered to lead night prayers.
The resident pastor of New Life Gospel Church in Sarikinoma, Pastor Olorunfemi Ojo, confirmed the incident and added that three unidentified individuals were confronted before attempting to enter Victory Primary School next to the church.
Pastor Ojo continued, “Shortly after, some unidentified men numbering up to about fifteen of them along with the three that had come earlier invaded the Church by destroying the windows and forcing their way inside, hitting them with planks, broken bottles, and stones hurting the elderly men before they fled for their lives.
“Two of the church leaders were injured to varying degrees and were sent to an unnamed hospital for treatment.”
After causing mayhem, according to Pastor Femi Ojo, the attackers fled with some church belongings, phone numbers, and cash, leaving the church structure littered with broken bottles, stones, and planks.
The cleric recalled that when they fled for safety, he walked to the road to ask for assistance from the local vigilante but was informed that they had just left for a patrol.
The men were later apprehended by vigilantes as they attempted to commit more robberies in the neighbourhood. While some of the offenders have been apprehended, others are still at large,” he continued.
However, the cleric praised the police for their quick action and urged them to step up their efforts to apprehend the offenders.
The Nigeria Police B division in Lokoja has not informed the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer’s office about the event, according to SP William Aya.
