UPDATED: Gunmen Invade Ekiti Church, Kill Pastor, Kidnap Worshippers

The community of Eda Oniyo in Ekiti State is reeling from a brutal attack that shattered the peace during a church crusade. Premium Times reports on the shocking invasion by heavily armed gunmen who not only took the life of the pastor but also abducted numerous worshippers, plunging the area into fear and confusion.

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This evening, some gunmen invaded a church around the outskirts of Eda Oniyo during a church programme. They abducted several worshippers, including elderly persons and children. They shot the pastor and took the worshippers into the forest. The attackers came in large numbers and were heavily armed.

This incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing parts of Nigeria, where criminal elements increasingly target public gatherings. The brazenness of the attack, occurring during a religious service, underscores the vulnerability of communities and the urgent need for effective security responses.

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Yes, some worshippers were kidnapped in Eda Oniyo today, but security agencies are involved. The government has deployed security operatives to the area, and they are already on the trail of the attackers.

While security agencies have been deployed and are on the trail of the abductors, the immediate aftermath is marked by panic and uncertainty for the families of the missing. The confirmation from government officials and the police, though reassuring in its commitment to rescue and apprehension, does little to quell the immediate anxiety. The situation in Ekiti serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing struggle against violent crime and the devastating impact it has on innocent lives.

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The Police, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes and the local hunters have commenced an aggressive bush combing operation and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in order to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.