Panic gripped residents of Eda Oniyo Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Tuesday after suspected gunmen invaded a church during an open-air crusade, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
Sources in the community said the assailants stormed the prayer ground located on the outskirts of the town in large numbers and opened fire indiscriminately before whisking away their victims into a nearby forest.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers operated for several minutes, targeting worshippers, including elderly persons and children.
“They came in large numbers and were heavily armed. They shot the pastor and took many people away into the bush,” a resident said.
The exact number of those abducted could not be immediately confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has thrown the community into confusion, with many residents fleeing their homes over fears of further attacks.
A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development, stating that security operatives had been deployed to the area.
He said efforts were ongoing to track the attackers and rescue the victims.
“Security agencies are already on the trail of the gunmen. We are hopeful that those abducted will be rescued,” the source added.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to his line were not responded to as of press time.
