Gunmen on Tuesday night stormed a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers during a church programme.
The attack, which occurred around 8:30 pm, has thrown the community into panic as residents grapple with renewed fears over rising insecurity in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the armed attackers arrived in large numbers and invaded the church on the outskirts of the town while the service was ongoing. The pastor was shot dead on the spot, while worshippers were whisked away into a nearby forest.
One community source, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said the exact number of abducted victims was still being verified as families tried to account for those missing.
“The attackers were many. They killed the pastor and took some worshippers. We are still trying to confirm how many were taken. The whole community is in panic,” the source said.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Ekiti State Police Command said it had launched a rescue operation to locate and free the abducted worshippers.
Police spokesperson Sunday Abutu said the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered a full-scale investigation and manhunt for the attackers.
He added that combined teams of security agencies, including soldiers, local vigilantes, and community hunters, had begun bush-combing operations across suspected escape routes.
“The police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, vigilantes and local hunters, have commenced aggressive bush combing operations to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators,” Abutu said.
He urged residents to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious movements to security agencies, while also advising religious centres to notify police before holding late-night programmes to ensure adequate protection.
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