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Gunmen have attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ekiti state, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers during a night vigil.
Confirming the incident in a statement, Sunday Abutu, the Ekiti state police spokesperson, said the command has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
Abutu said the attack occurred at about 10:30pm on Tuesday when members of the church were holding a vigil on the outskirts of town.
He said preliminary investigations indicate that about five armed men stormed the prayer ground, fatally shot the pastor and whisked away some members of the congregation.
The spokesperson said the police have commenced a coordinated operation to apprehend the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.
He added that security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, local vigilantes and hunters, have begun bush-combing operations in the area.
“The Police in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes and the local hunters have commenced an aggressive bush combing operations and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in order to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits,” the statement reads.
“The commissioner of Police calls for calm as necessary steps are currently being taken to salvage the situation and forestall recurrence.
“Members of the public are charged to be security conscious, vigilant and promptly report any suspicious person or group of persons found within their environments to the police and other security agencies for necessary proactive actions.”
He also advised religious leaders to comply with the state government’s directive requiring prior notification to security agencies before organising late-night gatherings.
Abutu implored the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, providing an emergency contact number, 08062335577, for prompt response.
