Tragedy struck a peaceful community in southwest Nigeria on Tuesday evening when armed attackers suspected to be islamic jihadist invaded a church revival service, killing a pastor and kidnapping an unknown number of worshippers.
The incident took place around 6:45 pm on April 28, 2026, at a Christ Apostolic Church located on the outskirts of Eda Oniyo, the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Ekiti State.
According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen suddenly emerged and opened fire on the congregation, throwing the gathering into chaos before seizing several attendees at gunpoint and vanishing into the surrounding forest.
The deceased pastor has been identified as Pastor Aregbe, who was reportedly serving as the guest revivalist for the programme. A number of other worshippers were also injured in the shooting. While the precise number of those abducted remains unclear as families continue to verify the whereabouts of loved ones, local sources indicate that several people, including possibly elderly members and children, are missing.
Residents described scenes of panic as gunfire rang out during what was meant to be a spiritual gathering. “People were running in different directions, but the attackers moved quickly to bundle some of them away,” one eyewitness told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the attack and said security teams, along with local vigilantes, have been mobilised to comb the forests in search of the victims. A police spokesperson described the assailants as suspected bandits and assured that efforts are ongoing to rescue those taken and apprehend the perpetrators.Eda Oniyo, a largely agrarian settlement, has generally enjoyed relative calm in the past.
However, its proximity to parts of Kwara State, where similar violent incidents have occurred, has raised concerns about the possible spread of banditry into Ekiti communities.
This latest attack echoes a previous assault on another church in the region late last year.As of Wednesday morning, no group had claimed responsibility for the assault, which appears driven by criminal motives, primarily kidnapping for ransom – a growing menace across several parts of the country.
Community leaders and residents have appealed for stronger security presence and quicker response from security agencies in rural areas. Many expressed deep fear for the safety of their families and called on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action against the rising wave of insecurity.Investigations are continuing, and updates are expected as more information emerges regarding the condition and possible rescue of the abducted worshippers.
