Gunmen on Tuesday night attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti, in the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers.
The attack occurred around 8:30 pm during a church programme, throwing the community into panic as residents expressed growing concerns over insecurity in the area.
Sources said the assailants, who were heavily armed and arrived in large numbers, stormed the church located on the outskirts of the town, shot the pastor dead, and took several worshippers into a nearby forest.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of those abducted.
“The invaders were many. They killed the pastor and took away some worshippers. We cannot say the number yet. Moves to collate those who are missing have begun. The community is in panic mode for now,” the source said.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Ekiti State Police Command said it had launched a rescue operation to secure the release of the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered a thorough investigation and initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to him, security agencies including the police, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshal, vigilantes, and local hunters have begun intensive bush-combing operations to rescue the abducted worshippers and apprehend those responsible.
“The Police in collaboration with other security agencies have commenced aggressive bush combing operations and a serious manhunt to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits,” Abutu said.
He assured residents that efforts were underway to restore calm and prevent further attacks, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Abutu also advised religious leaders to notify the police before organising late-night gatherings to enable adequate security arrangements.
