Ekiti Reps rescue abducted worshippers as lawmakers demand urgent action after deadly church attack and killing of pastor in Ekiti State
The House of Representatives, Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday, called for urgent action after armed men attacked a Christ Apostolic Church crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting worshippers in a violent overnight assault that has triggered widespread concern.
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Lawmakers, during plenary in Abuja, demanded immediate intervention by security agencies and stressed the need for a swift rescue operation under what has now become a critical case referenced as the Ekiti Reps rescue abducted worshippers.
The motion recalled that on April 28, 2026, armed men invaded a Christ Apostolic Church crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, where they killed the presiding pastor and abducted 16 worshippers.
According to lawmakers, heavily armed attackers stormed the worship ground, opened fire on congregants, and operated with alarming ease for several minutes before escaping into surrounding forest areas with victims in their custody.
Sixteen worshippers were confirmed abducted, while the presiding pastor was killed during the attack.
The Ekiti Reps rescue abducted worshippers call gained further urgency as lawmakers noted that the incident had exposed deep vulnerabilities in rural security architecture and heightened fears among communities across the South West region.
Legislators also expressed concern that despite reported ransom negotiations and payments facilitated by the affected community, the abducted worshippers remain in captivity.
The situation was described as deeply troubling and a stark reminder of Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
In a strongly worded resolution, the House condemned the attack in clear terms and extended condolences to the families of victims and the Eda Oniyo community, describing the incident as a national tragedy that demands decisive action.
Lawmakers urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, and other relevant agencies to intensify coordinated operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted worshippers and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The House also called on the Federal Government to strengthen security deployment in Ekiti State and other vulnerable communities through enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, and rapid response capability.
Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and Army were mandated to interface with security agencies and recommend sustainable measures to prevent a recurrence of similar attacks.
The National Emergency Management Agency was also directed to provide relief support to affected families as part of ongoing humanitarian response efforts.
Security analysts continue to warn that armed groups are exploiting forest corridors across multiple states, complicating rescue operations and expanding the reach of criminal networks.
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For residents of Eda Oniyo and surrounding communities, the priority remains the safe return of abducted worshippers and renewed confidence in the country’s ability to deliver effective protection.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
