Nigeria: Four Arrested Over Kogi Church Attack

Lokoja — Four persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the attack on the Deeper Life Church in Eika Dagun area of Okehi local government of Kogi State.

Gunmen on Monday night stormed the church during Monday Bible study killing 19 worshipers and injuring 16 others.

State police commissioner, Muhammed Katsina, said in Lokoja yesterday while giving an update on the church attack and killing at Ehika in Okehi local government area that those arrested are in police custody and that soon his command will commence investigation to ascertain their level of involvement.

He said the law cannot subdue itself before an individual, saying that the efficacy of law is that no one is above it and that whoever conspired with criminals to inflict pains on the people would be dealt with.

The commissioner said the police would enforce the curfew imposed in Okene and the restriction of commercial motorcycle operation from 6pm to 6am, saying whoever violated the law would be dealt with decisively.

Meanwhile, the Kogi chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day fasting and prayer for divine intervention in the security situation of the country.

Its chairman Arch-Bishop Emmanuel Egbunu said in Lokoja yesterday while briefing newsmen on the killing of 17 Christians at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Otite in Okehi on Monday that the killing was an isolated one against Christians at worship in recent times, saying it is a new dangerous dimension in Kogi.

"We call on Christians to observe prayer and fast in their assemblies between Wednesday and Friday to implore divine intervention in our nation and state. This should be continued in the foreseeable future," he said.

The CAN chairman called on all Nigerians to turn to God in true repentance, saying sin and wickedness constituted a reproach that could only lead to more darkness.

According to him, CAN and the Council of Ulama in the state were forging peaceful co-existence and urged Christian and Muslim youths to strengthen the resolve by rejecting evil acts.