The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has ordered the suspension of all church activities in the area until further notice.
The decision followed a series of security incidents in the community, including attacks on churches and the recent discovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition by security operatives in the state.
A notice issued by the Kabba/Bunu CAN Coordinator, Rev. Kayode Osatuyi, and obtained by Press Online on Friday, said the directive was agreed during a meeting held at the monarch’s palace involving traditional rulers and church leaders.
“Following the directive of the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, at a meeting with traditional rulers and CAN church leaders at his palace, all church services are to be suspended until further notice,” the notice stated. It added that the decision was based on credible security reports of planned attacks on churches by bandits.
Osatuyi explained that the move was taken after consultations with the state leadership of CAN, urging all churches in the local government area to comply in the interest of public safety. He called on Christians in the area to continue praying for peace in Kabba/Bunu land, assuring that churches would be informed when it was safe to resume activities.
Press Online reports that the Kogi State Government recently announced the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition from criminal hideouts following joint security operations across parts of the state. Authorities had also warned worship centres, particularly those in remote areas, to reconsider holding services amid rising security concerns.
Last month, a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the area was attacked, while another incident occurred on Sunday at the Evangelical Church Winning All in Kiri, where two worshippers were reportedly killed. In the latest attack, bandits reportedly stormed the church during a Sunday service and abducted about 20 worshippers.
