Residents of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Council of Ekiti State were thrown into confusion on Tuesday evening as suspected gunmen invaded Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Eda Oniyo-Ekiti during an open-air crusade service.
It was learnt that the gunmen, who stormed the church located on the outskirts of the community while the crusade was ongoing, killed a presiding pastor and abducted several worshippers. Sources in the community disclosed that the gunmen, who were heavily armed, operated for several minutes before kidnapping an undisclosed number of worshipers into a nearby forest. Another source said the gunmen invaded the crusade ground in large numbers and opened fire during the attack.
Reacting, a top government official and member of the state’s security committee confirmed the attack. Meanwhile, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, has ordered a thorough investigation and a serious manhunt of the suspected hoodlums who fatally attacked the church at Eda Oniyo-Ekiti.
A statement by the Police Spokesman, Abutu Sunday, said that preliminary investigation revealed that on April 28, 2026, at about 22:30 hours while the church members were holding their All Night prayers somewhere around the outskirts of the town, a group of yet-to-be identified gunmen, numbering about five, attacked the worshippers, fatally shot the pastor and abducted some of the church members. The Commissioner of Police called for calm as necessary steps are currently being taken to salvage the situation and forestall reoccurrence.
CAN Reacts with Shock
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed shock over the reported attack on the church, describing it as a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life. In a statement, yesterday, in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said that the killing of a pastor and the abduction of worshippers that gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling and reflects a grave disregard for life, faith, and for the moral fabric of our society and demanded immediate release of those in captivity.
He warned that Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge and urged the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks. Okoh noted that the attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities.
Security Measures Urged
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for enhanced security in rural areas. Residents of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti have expressed fear and anxiety, urging authorities to intensify patrols and surveillance. The police have assured the public that efforts are underway to rescue the abducted worshippers and apprehend the perpetrators.
