Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, has ordered a suspension of all church activities in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State until further notice, in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria.
The instruction came after a series of security breaches in the neighborhood, including recent attacks on churches and the recovery of a significant cache of rifles and ammunition by state security forces.
Rev. Kayode Osatuyi, the Coordinator of CAN in Kabba/Bunu LGA, stated in a notice viewed by Chronicle NG on Friday that the decision was reached after a meeting with traditional rulers and church leaders in the monarch’s palace.
The notice read in part, “Following the directive from the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba Bunu Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, at the meeting held with traditional rulers and church leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria Kabba/Bunu LGA at his palace, he gave a directive on the closure of all church services till further notice upon a credible security report on an attack by the bandits on our churches.”
Osatuyi stated that the decision was given following consultation with CAN’s state leadership, and he urged all churches in the area to obey in the interest of public safety.
He also appealed for ongoing prayers for peace in Kabba/Bunu territory, stating that churches would be notified when it was safe to begin operations.
The Kogi State Government recently announced the discovery of a massive cache of weaponry and ammunition from criminal hideouts as a result of a joint security operation throughout the state.
Following the attacks on churches, the authorities cautioned worship centers, particularly those on the outskirts of towns, not to hold services in crime-prone regions.
Last month, a Cherubim and Seraphim Church was assaulted in the neighborhood, and another incident occurred on Sunday at the Evangelical Church Winning All in Kiri, killing two worshippers.
During the most recent occurrence, bandits allegedly assaulted the church during a Sunday service and abducted approximately 20 worshippers.
