Ekiti Church Attack Leaves Pastor Dead, Worshippers Missing After Evening Service Raid
Panic has gripped a community in Ekiti State after armed attackers stormed a church gathering, killing a pastor and taking several worshippers into the forest.
The incident occurred during an evening crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, where worshippers had gathered for a religious programme before the attackers struck.
Witnesses said the assailants arrived in large numbers and opened fire, causing chaos as people scrambled for safety.
During the attack, the presiding pastor was shot and later confirmed dead, while an unspecified number of worshippers were forcibly taken away.
Local sources said some attendees managed to escape into nearby bushes, but others were either injured or captured as the gunmen moved quickly out of the area.
The exact number of abducted victims remains unclear, with officials indicating that several persons are still unaccounted for following the incident.
The attack has thrown the quiet community into fear, with residents expressing concern over the growing wave of insecurity affecting even places of worship.
Community leaders confirmed that the body of the slain pastor has been deposited in a morgue, while efforts continue to locate those taken.
Security agencies are said to be tracking the attackers, though no group has claimed responsibility for the assault at the time of reporting.
The incident adds to a worrying pattern of violent attacks in different parts of the country, where gatherings—once considered safe—are increasingly being targeted.
Residents are now calling for stronger security presence in rural areas to prevent a repeat of such attacks.
As search efforts continue, families of the abducted remain in distress, hoping for the safe return of their loved ones.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with assurances that those behind the attack will be brought to justice.