CITIZENS COMPASS— An open-air church has ended up in disarray as gunmen reportedly killed a pastor and abducted many worshippers in Ekiti State.
The tragedy occurred in Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday evening.
According to eyewitnesses’ accounts, the attackers who were in large numbers stormed the venue of the crusade and opened fire on worshippers.
An eyewitness said the gunmen operated freely for several minutes before escaping into a nearby forest with their victims.
“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 source said.
The sources said, “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.
A top government official and member of the state’s security committee who spoke under anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, confirmed the attack.
The source said that security operatives had already been deployed to the area and were on the trail of the attackers, expressing confidence that the victims would be rescued unharmed.
“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 source said.
At press time, Police were yet to make an official statement.
