A pastor was killed and an unknown number of congregants were kidnapped when gunmen invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Ekiti State, on Tuesday night.
The neighborhood is in a state of terror as a result of the incident, which happened at 8:30 p.m. during a church function. Locals are worried about the growing level of insecurity in the area.
According to local sources, the armed attackers arrived in large numbers, assaulted the church on the town’s outskirts, shot the pastor dead, and carried away a number of worshippers into a nearby woodland.
The precise number of kidnapped victims is still being ascertained, according to one of the individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
There were a lot of invaders. They removed some worshippers and killed the preacher. The number is still unknown. The process of gathering the missing has started. For now, the town is in a state of panic, according to the source.
The Ekiti State Police Command confirmed the event on Wednesday and said it had started a rescue effort to ensure the victims’ release.
Sunday Abutu, the state’s police public relations officer, stated that Michael Falade, the commissioner of police, had directed a comprehensive investigation and a manhunt for the offenders.
“To ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits, the Police have started an aggressive bush combing operation and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes, and the local hunters,” stated Abutu.
He continued by saying that the police were working to make sure the victims were safely rescued and that the perpetrators were apprehended.
“As the necessary actions are being taken to salvage the situation and prevent recurrence, the commissioner of police calls for calm.”
He continued, “The public is expected to be security-conscious, watchful, and to promptly report any suspicious person or group of people found within their environments to the police and other security agencies for necessary proactive actions.”
In order to allow for sufficient security measures, Abutu also counseled religious leaders to inform the police prior to planning late-night events.
