Gunmen Invade Ekiti Church Vigil, Kill Pastor And Abduct Worshippers In Violent Midnight Raid

Ekiti Police launch a manhunt for five gunmen who killed a pastor and kidnapped worshippers during a night vigil at a Christ Apostolic Church.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 10:44 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Nigerian

Targeted Assault On Religious Gathering

Tragedy struck the community of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti on Tuesday night when gunmen launched a violent assault on a Christ Apostolic Church located on the outskirts of the town. The attack occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. while church members were engaged in a late-night vigil. SP Sunday Abutu, the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, detailing a harrowing scene where five armed assailants disrupted the prayer session with gunfire.

Fatalities and Abduction Details

During the chaotic invasion, the attackers fatally shot the presiding pastor, whose identity has yet to be officially released by the church authorities. Following the shooting, the gunmen successfully abducted an unspecified number of worshippers before retreating into the thick vegetation surrounding the prayer ground. The sudden nature of the attack left the local community in shock, as religious gatherings have increasingly become targets for kidnapping syndicates operating in the region.

Coordinated Rescue Operations Underway

In response to the crisis, the Ekiti Police Command has initiated a large-scale manhunt and rescue operation. SP Abutu revealed that a joint security task force—comprising the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, local vigilantes, and hunters—has been deployed to comb the bushes for the perpetrators and their victims. The command emphasized that the investigation is a high priority, with a focus on tracking the kidnappers' escape route to ensure the safe return of the abducted congregants.