Gunmen Storm Ekiti Church, Kill Pastor and Abduct Worshippers in Eda Oniyo Attack

Panic and grief swept through Eda Oniyo on Tuesday evening after suspected gunmen attacked a church gathering, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.

The incident occurred in the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State during an open-air crusade held on the outskirts of the community. According to multiple local sources, the attackers—described as heavily armed—stormed the venue while the programme was in progress and opened fire on the congregation.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants operated for several minutes, creating chaos as worshippers fled for safety. In the process, the presiding pastor was shot dead, while an unspecified number of attendees—including elderly persons and children—were forcibly taken away into a nearby forest.

Residents said the attackers arrived in large numbers and appeared well-coordinated, heightening fears of organized criminal activity in the area. The exact number of abducted victims remains unclear as of press time.

The attack has left the quiet agrarian community in shock, with many families anxiously awaiting news about their missing relatives. Security operatives have reportedly begun efforts to track down the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims, though official statements from authorities were still limited at the time of reporting.

This latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of southwestern Nigeria, where sporadic attacks and kidnappings have increasingly targeted rural communities and places of worship.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.