Gunmen Abduct 15 from Ekiti Church, Kill Pastor

Gunmen stormed a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Nigeria's Ekiti State, on Tuesday evening, abducting 15 worshippers during a revival service and killing a visiting pastor.

The attackers arrived around 7:15 p.m., firing shots for more than 30 minutes before herding the victims into a nearby forest, witnesses and local officials reported. Blood stains and three AK-47 shell casings were found at the scene. The kidnappers later contacted the community, demanding 1 billion naira for the victims' release, according to the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola.

Ekiti State Police Commissioner Michael Falade visited the area shortly after the attack and deployed a joint security team, including police, military personnel and Amotekun operatives, to comb surrounding forests. "We will do everything within our capacity to ensure those kidnapped are rescued alive and reunited with their families," Falade said. A delegation from Governor Biodun Oyebanji, led by Special Adviser on Security Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, also sympathized with residents and confirmed ongoing bush-combing operations to block incursions from...