Segun Atanda/
Gunmen have attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers during a night vigil.
The Ekiti State Police Command confirmed the attack on Wednesday, saying it occurred at about 10.30pm on Tuesday at a prayer ground located on the outskirts of the community.
Police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said preliminary investigations showed that about five armed men invaded the vigil, opened fire on the congregation and fatally shot the presiding pastor before abducting an unspecified number of worshippers.
He said a coordinated security operation involving the police, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, local vigilantes and hunters had been launched to track down the assailants and secure the release of the victims.
“The command has commenced aggressive bush-combing and a comprehensive manhunt to rescue those abducted and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Abutu said.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Adegoroye Falade, appealed for calm, assuring residents that measures were being intensified to prevent further attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of the number of abducted worshippers or whether any contact had been established with the attackers.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies, as search operations continue.
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