Army Tracks Ekiti Church Attackers After Pastor Killed, 15 Worshippers Abducted
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Ekiti State, Nigeria, has launched a full-scale surveillance operation, deploying the Nigerian Army's 148 Battalion to track down bandits who attacked a church.
- Gunmen stormed a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo during a vigil service, killing the pastor and abducting approximately 15 worshippers.
- Joint security forces, including police, military, DSS, and local vigilantes, are engaged in intensive search and rescue operations to secure the return of the abducted individuals and apprehend the attackers.
The Ekiti State Government is mobilizing its security apparatus with full force to track down the perpetrators of a heinous attack on a church in Eda Oniyo. The community, situated near the border with Kwara State, was targeted during a vigil service on Tuesday evening by gunmen who killed the pastor and abducted around 15 worshippers. The Punch reports on the swift and robust response from state authorities.
Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches.
In a decisive move, the state government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army to the affected area. Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, stated that comprehensive surveillance operations are underway to monitor the environment, apprehend the culprits, and prevent any further security breaches. This coordinated effort underscores the seriousness with which the government views the incident.
Security operatives remain on ground and are actively engaged in intensive search and rescue operations aimed at securing the safe return of all abducted persons.
Security operatives are actively engaged in intensive search and rescue missions, working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 17, Ajani Omolabi, along with the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, visited Eda Oniyo to personally assess the situation and assure residents that operations are progressing with the aim of a successful resolution.
The AIG gave the assurance that the police were going to work round the clock to ensure that those kidnapped are released and the criminals arrested.
From a Nigerian perspective, such attacks on places of worship are particularly disturbing, striking at the heart of community life and faith. The government's strong condemnation of the attack as "heinous and unacceptable" reflects the public's outrage. The deployment of multiple security agencies—including the police, army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, mobile police, and local vigilantes—demonstrates a unified commitment to restoring peace and security. The Ekiti State government's assurance to its residents highlights a dedication to protecting its citizens and upholding law and order in the face of violent extremism.
The Ekiti State Government strongly condemns the recent attack on Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area. The incident is heinous and unacceptable.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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