Surveillance operations activated to track Ekiti church attackers — Govt 

The Ekiti State Government has said full-scale surveillance operations have been activated in the Eda Oniyo axis of the state to track down the gunmen who attacked a church in the community.

The assailants, who attacked a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a community bordering Kwara State, during a vigil service on Tuesday evening, reportedly shot dead the pastor and abducted about 15 worshippers into a nearby forest.

The state Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement on Thursday, said, “The Ekiti State Government strongly condemns the recent attack on Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area. The incident is heinous and unacceptable.

“The government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures all residents that it remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state. No stone will be left unturned in efforts to rescue the abducted persons and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The state government, in a swift to the incident, had on Wednesday morning deployed a high-powered security delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd.), for an on-the-spot assessment and to coordinate operations in the affected community.

Ogundana, alongside the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, met with a joint security team comprising the police, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups to ensure a coordinated response.

Olatunbosun added, “The state government has ordered the immediate deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its Commanding Officer, to the area. Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators and forestall further security breaches.

“Security operatives remain on the ground and are actively engaged in intensive search and rescue operations aimed at securing the safe return of all abducted persons.

“Preliminary reports indicate that the affected church is located in close proximity to a forest area, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance in such locations.”

He urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and security conscious, particularly with regard to late-night activities such as vigils in border communities and areas adjoining forests.

“Conveners of vigils and similar activities are advised to notify security agencies in advance to ensure adequate protection,” he added.

The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting residents and ensuring that those responsible for the attack are apprehended and prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in the state also condemned the incident and cautioned against attempts to politicise it.

In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, the party described the attack as “senseless and barbaric.”

“This is not politics. This is a crime—pure and evil. No grievance, political or communal, justifies taking a life or subjecting families to the trauma of kidnapping. Whoever did this is an enemy of Ekiti and must be treated as such,” the statement read.

The party commended security agencies for their swift response and urged them to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

It also warned against politicising the tragedy, stressing that justice must be served and seen to be served to reassure residents and deter future attacks.

The APC extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, and the entire community, while praying for the safe return of those abducted.