GUNMEN STORM EKITI CHURCH, KILL PASTOR, ABDUCT WORSHIPPERS DURING CRUSADE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Pandemonium erupted in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Tuesday evening after suspected gunmen invaded a church during an open-air crusade, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the crusade ground located on the outskirts of the community in large numbers and opened fire on participants, causing chaos as worshippers fled in different directions.
Multiple community sources confirmed that the armed men operated for several minutes before whisking away an unspecified number of worshippers into the surrounding forest.
“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,” one source said.
Although the exact number of victims has not been confirmed, residents said the incident has thrown the community into panic.
A government official and member of the state’s security committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack, adding that security operatives had been deployed to the area.
According to the source, efforts were ongoing to track the assailants and rescue the abducted worshippers.
“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,” the official said.
As of press time, efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned.
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