Ekiti Launches Large-Scale Manhunt After Night Vigil Mass Abduction Leaves Pastor Dead, 15 Worshippers Kidnapped

The quiet town of Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State is reeling after a deadly attack on a church night vigil left a visiting revivalist dead and at least 15 worshippers abducted. The assault, carried out by armed bandits around 8 p.m. on Saturday, has triggered a swift and forceful response from the Ekiti State government, which has deployed hundreds of security personnel in a bid to rescue the victims and restore calm to the border community.

The incident has once again thrust Ekiti’s security challenges into the spotlight, raising urgent questions about border policing, the safety of religious gatherings, and the state’s capacity to contain cross-border criminal incursions.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the church premises during a night vigil, firing sporadically to create panic and disperse the congregation. Within minutes, they had overrun the gathering, killing the visiting pastor, identified only as Pastor Aregbe, and dragging worshippers into the surrounding forest.

Church elder Prince Awolola Adebayo, who survived by hiding in the bush, recounted the horror. “As we started the program, we started hearing shouting of guns from nowhere. Before we know it, they had occupied the places where we are doing the revival. I told my people to leave. When I came out about 30 minutes later, I discovered they had killed one of the revivalists. Almost 15 people were kidnapped—about five women, young ladies and teenagers, including my wife and our district overseer’s wife.”

Community leaders have confirmed that the kidnappers contacted families shortly after the attack, demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion for the release of the abducted worshippers. The figure has deepened anxiety among residents, many of whom say they cannot afford such an amount.

The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Oladipo Owodola, verified the number of abductees and the ransom demand. “Bandits came to attack our community last night. They killed a Pastor and abducted 15 people. I am appealing to the state government to intervene so that those abducted will be released,” he said.

The Ekiti State government responded hours after the attack with a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, expressing deep sorrow and extending condolences to the families of the victims. The statement marked a departure from routine administrative language, reflecting the gravity and public outrage surrounding the incident.

“No stone will be left unturned in efforts to secure the safe return of the victims and ensure that those behind this reprehensible act are apprehended,” Olatunbosun said. He reassured residents that decisive actions were already underway and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

To back up that pledge, the state immediately deployed a high-powered security delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.). The team is coordinating a joint operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante groups.

A significant part of the response has been the deployment of over 140 soldiers from the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, along with their commanding officer, to reinforce security in Eda Oniyo and surrounding areas. Full-scale surveillance and intelligence operations have been activated, with security forces conducting intensive bush-combing exercises across the forests believed to be hiding the attackers and their captives.

Police Confirm Coordinated Rescue Efforts

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, visited the community on Sunday and confirmed that a coordinated rescue operation was already in progress. He said a joint team of police, military personnel, and other security agencies was deployed immediately after the attack was reported.

Falade noted that Ekiti had been conducting routine bush-combing operations in the area prior to the incident due to its proximity to volatile border regions. “Security remains a collective responsibility,” he said, urging residents to provide timely and actionable intelligence to support ongoing efforts.

The police commissioner’s comments highlight a broader challenge: Ekiti’s location on the border with Kogi and Kwara states makes it vulnerable to criminal elements moving across state lines. Community leaders say this cross-border movement has fueled a rise in kidnappings, armed robberies, and attacks on rural communities.

The attack has sparked renewed calls from traditional rulers and local authorities for stricter regulation of night-time religious activities. Many argue that churches and other religious bodies in vulnerable areas lack the infrastructure to protect worshippers during overnight programs.

The Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Bamidele Olatunji Adeniran, proposed a state decree limiting night vigils to 6 p.m. in areas without fortified security infrastructure. “If any church wants to hold revival and the church doesn’t have a well fortified fence, that revival must not exceed 6pm. Anyone found guilty should be arrested. There’s freedom of worship but we should also protect ourselves,” he said.

The Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Hon. Pius Alaba, confirmed that the council had previously engaged religious leaders on reducing late-night activities due to rising security concerns. He confirmed that about 15 persons were abducted in the latest attack.

Oba J.A. Akintola, Chairman of the Ilejemeje Traditional Council, attributed the growing insecurity to the influx of criminals from neighboring states. “Cross-border movements have posed significant challenges to local security, despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Ogundana confirmed that the state had intensified bush-combing operations in border communities in the weeks leading up to the attack as a preventive measure. The latest incident suggests that more robust and sustained interventions are needed.

As security operatives comb the forests around Eda Oniyo, families of the abducted worshippers are in a state of anguish, waiting for any news about their loved ones. The psychological toll on the community is palpable. Church services have been suspended, and many residents are avoiding movement after dark.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, particularly in communities located near forested areas. The government has also advised organizers of vigils and similar gatherings to notify security agencies in advance to ensure adequate protection. Residents are being encouraged to support security operations by providing credible and timely information.

Despite the severity of the attack, state officials have described it as an “isolated breach” and reaffirmed that Ekiti remains one of the safest states in Nigeria. They have pledged that all those responsible will be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted.

The Eda Oniyo attack is not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria, places of worship have increasingly become targets for kidnappers and armed groups, particularly in rural and border areas. The use of night vigils, which often involve large gatherings with minimal security, has made churches vulnerable.

Ekiti, long considered relatively peaceful compared to some of its neighbors, has seen a rise in kidnapping incidents in recent years, often linked to groups operating from forests along its borders. The state government has responded by strengthening Amotekun, the regional security outfit, and increasing collaboration with federal security agencies.

However, the latest attack underscores the limitations of current measures. Security experts argue that addressing the root causes—poverty, porous borders, and the proliferation of small arms—is essential to achieving lasting peace. Others point to the need for better community policing and intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.

For now, the immediate priority is the safe rescue of the abducted worshippers. Security forces have intensified operations in the forests of Eda Oniyo, and officials say they are working round the clock to track the kidnappers.

The state government has also promised to review security protocols for public gatherings, particularly in border communities. Discussions are underway on how to balance religious freedom with public safety without imposing undue restrictions

As anxious families wait, the people of Eda Oniyo are clinging to hope and to the assurances of government officials that normalcy will be restored. The attack has left scars, but it has also renewed a collective demand for stronger protection and a more proactive approach to security in Ekiti’s vulnerable border towns.

Whether the state’s response will be enough to prevent a recurrence remains to be seen. What is clear is that the incident has once again exposed the fragility of security in Nigeria’s rural communities and the urgent need for coordinated action across state lines.