Gunmen on Tuesday night attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, in Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers during an evening programme.
The incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m., threw the quiet agrarian community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area into panic as residents fled for safety amid gunfire.
Eyewitnesses and local sources said the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the church premises while the service was ongoing. The assailants reportedly opened fire on congregants, killing the presiding pastor instantly before whisking away an unspecified number of worshippers into a nearby forest.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the exact number of abducted victims remained unclear as efforts were ongoing to account for those present at the service.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They killed the pastor on the spot and abducted some worshippers. We are still trying to determine how many people are missing,” the source said.
Residents described the attack as shocking, noting that such violence in the area underscores growing insecurity in parts of the state once considered relatively peaceful.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that a coordinated rescue operation had been launched.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state said the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, had ordered an immediate investigation and deployment of tactical teams to track down the perpetrators.
Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters, have begun intensive bush-combing operations in surrounding forests to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that efforts are underway to restore normalcy and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
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