gunmen !nvade crusade ground, k!ll pastor, ∆bduct worshippers

gunmen invade crusade ground, kill pastor, abduct worshippers

Panic gripped residents of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Tuesday evening as suspected gunmen attacked a church programme, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.

The assailants were said to have invaded an open-air crusade held on the outskirts of the community, firing sporadically before whisking their victims away into a nearby forest.

Residents told our correspondent that the attackers, who arrived in large numbers and were heavily armed, operated for several minutes without resistance.

A community source said, “The gunmen stormed the crusade ground during the programme and began shooting. They killed the pastor and abducted many worshippers, including elderly people and children.

“They came in large numbers and took the victims into the forest.”

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of those abducted had yet to be confirmed, but the incident had thrown the community into confusion and fear.

A senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation, confirmed the attack, adding that security operatives had been mobilised to the area.

According to the source, efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers and secure the release of the victims.

“Yes, the incident happened, and security agencies have been deployed. They are already combing the area to rescue the victims,” the official said.

Attempts to get an official reaction from the Ekiti State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, were not responded to as of press time.