Panic and grief swept through Eda Oniyo, headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, after armed men suspected to be bandits stormed a church service, killing a cleric and leaving several others unaccounted for.
The attack reportedly happened on Tuesday evening during a revival programme at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where members had gathered for worship.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived around 6:45 p.m. and immediately opened fire on the congregation. The visiting minister, identified simply as Pastor Aregbe, was shot dead in the chaos, while a number of worshippers sustained injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Pius Alaba, said many residents are still missing, noting that authorities are yet to determine the exact number of those abducted.
He explained that information from the church’s presiding pastor indicated that some members managed to flee into nearby bushes, while others were caught in the gunfire during the attack.
Alaba further disclosed that the remains of the slain pastor have been deposited in a morgue.
As of the time of this report, security agencies have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The development has revived concerns over similar attacks on worship centres. In November 2025, gunmen invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, killing at least two people and abducting about 30 worshippers during a Tuesday evening service.
Following that incident, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the violence and called for stronger security measures. The attackers had reportedly demanded ₦100 million ransom per victim before the abducted worshippers were eventually freed.