Kogi State government has warned churches against their continued violation of the security protocol on late religious activities as well as worship in vulnerable places without security cover and clearance, Peak Newspaper reports.
It said the warning was informed by credible intelligence of planned attacks by bandits.
In a press statement made available to Peak Newspaper, the commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said security intelligence at the government’s disposal revealed a plot by criminal elements to attack a church in Ijumu local government area.
He said intercepted conversations among the bandits indicated that the targeted church had continued to operate late into the night, making it vulnerable to attack. The criminals were reportedly heard boasting that they would make “a lot of money” through ransom by kidnapping worshippers during the service
Fanwo said that although coordinated security measures have since been activated to avert the planned attack, the development has reinforced the need for strict compliance with the state’s preventive security directives.
We have observed with deep concern that despite clear security advisories, some churches still operate late into the night. This is unacceptable in the face of prevailing security challenges,” he said.
He reiterated that no church is permitted to operate after 4:00pm, stressing that churches in isolated or bushy areas must immediately seek safer alternatives in the interest of their members.
The Commissioner warned that any church found in violation of the security protocol would face sanctions, noting that such actions expose worshippers to grave danger.
“This decision is not targeted at faith or worship. It is a safety-first approach designed to protect lives.
Any church that deliberately disregards this protocol constitutes a security risk to its members,” Fanwo added.
