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Gunmen have attacked a church in Eda Oniyo community, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening during an open-air crusade on the outskirts of the town.
Residents said the gunmen stormed the venue around 7 pm while the programme was ongoing, opened fire on worshippers, and threw the gathering into panic.
A community leader, who asked not to be named, said the assailants operated for several minutes before escaping with the victims into a nearby forest.
He added that the attackers came in large numbers and were heavily armed, leaving residents in shock as families searched for missing persons.
“This evening, a few minutes to seven, gunmen invaded a church program at Eda Oniyo during a programme. They shot the pastor and into the congregation, abducting several worshippers, including the elderly and children, taking them into the forest.
“They came in large numbers and were heavily armed, which has left residents in shock as families continue to search for their missing loved ones.”
The exact number of abducted worshippers had not been confirmed.
Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Alaba, confirmed the attack but said the number of victims could not yet be verified.
He explained that initial information from the church indicated about 50 worshippers were present, some of whom reportedly escaped into the forest during the attack.
Alaba further stated that the body of the slain pastor, who was said to be from a neighbouring state, had been deposited at a morgue.
