Ekiti govt, military launch manhunt for Christ Apostolic Church attackers

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State Government has launched a major security operation to track gunmen who attacked a church in Eda Oniyo community, killing a pastor and abducting worshippers in the process.

Western Post had reported that during a vigil service on Tuesday evening, armed men invaded a Christ Apostolic Church in the border town with Kwara State and whisked away about 15 persons into the forest.

As a result, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the government had deployed troops of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army to the area to strengthen security, adding that security operatives were intensifying search efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

“Security operatives remain on ground and are actively engaged in intensive search and rescue operations,” Olatunbosun stated.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 17, Ajani Omolabi, visited the community alongside the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, assuring residents of swift action.

In his remarks, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said a joint operation involving the police, military, DSS, NSCDC, mobile police and local vigilantes had been mobilised.

“The AIG assured that the police would work round the clock to ensure the victims are rescued and the criminals apprehended,” he said.

Condemning the attack, the government described it as unacceptable, while extending condolences to families of the victims and vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.