Panic and grief have gripped residents of Ekiti State following a deadly attack on a church in Eda Oniyo community, where gunmen killed a pastor and abducted several worshippers during a religious gathering.
According to reports, the attackers stormed a Christ Apostolic Church located in Ilejemeje Local Government Area on Tuesday evening while a crusade or revival programme was underway. Witnesses said the assailants, heavily armed, opened fire on the congregation, causing chaos and forcing worshippers to flee for safety.
The presiding pastor, identified in some accounts as Pastor Aregbe, was reportedly shot dead during the attack, while an unspecified number of worshippers were abducted and taken into a nearby forest.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the gunmen operated for several minutes without immediate resistance before escaping with their victims, deepening fears among residents about the growing insecurity in the area.
The incident has thrown the quiet community into shock, with many residents expressing concern over what they describe as a disturbing spread of violence into parts of southwestern Nigeria not previously known for such attacks.
Security sources say efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators and rescue those abducted, although authorities have yet to release full details on the number of victims or those missing as of press time.
The attack adds to a growing list of assaults on religious institutions across Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted places of worship, schools, and rural communities. Analysts warn that such incidents highlight the evolving nature of insecurity, with criminal elements expanding their reach beyond traditional hotspots.
Community leaders have called for urgent deployment of security personnel and improved surveillance in vulnerable areas, stressing that residents now live in fear of further attacks.
“This is heartbreaking. People were gathered to worship, and such violence occurred,” a local source said, reflecting the mood of grief and anxiety in the community.
As families await news of their loved ones, the tragedy has once again raised pressing questions about the effectiveness of security measures and the need for stronger protection of civilians across Nigeria.
