Gunmen attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers during a night service, police and community sources said Wednesday.
The attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday during a church programme in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, throwing the community into panic and raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the region.
Eyewitnesses said the armed assailants stormed the church on the outskirts of the town, shot the pastor dead, and forced several worshippers into a nearby forest. The exact number of abducted victims has not yet been confirmed.
Confirming the incident, the Ekiti State Police Command said it had launched a coordinated rescue operation in collaboration with other security agencies to locate and free the victims.
Police spokesperson Sunday Abutu said Commissioner of Police Michael Falade had ordered a full investigation and a manhunt for the attackers.
He said police operations involve the military, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, vigilantes, and local hunters conducting bush combing operations across the area.
Abutu urged residents to remain calm, adding that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted worshippers and arrest those responsible.
He also advised religious organisations to notify security agencies before holding late-night programmes to ensure adequate protection.
