Tragedy struck in Ekiti State on Tuesday night as gunmen attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, within Ilejemeje Local Government Area, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers during a church programme.
The нападение, which occurred around 8:30 pm, sent shockwaves through the quiet community, with residents gripped by fear amid growing concerns over insecurity in the area.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the heavily armed assailants stormed the church, located on the outskirts of the town, opened fire on the pastor, and forcefully took an unspecified number of congregants into a nearby forest.
A community source, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, described the scene as chaotic, noting that efforts were underway to determine the number of victims taken.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They killed the pastor and abducted some worshippers. We are still trying to account for those missing. The entire community is in panic,” the source said.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Ekiti State Police Command announced that a joint rescue operation had been launched to secure the release of the abducted victims.
Police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered an intensive investigation and a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to him, security operatives—including the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, vigilantes, and local hunters—have commenced coordinated bush-combing operations to track down the attackers and rescue the victims.
“The Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have begun aggressive operations to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible,” Abutu stated.
He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that measures were being taken to prevent further attacks.
The police also advised religious leaders to inform security agencies ahead of late-night gatherings to enable proper security deployment.
The incident adds to rising security concerns in parts of the state, as residents call for stronger measures to protect lives and property.
