Reps demand rescue of abducted worshippers, justice for slain Ekiti pastor

The House of Representatives has called for the immediate rescue of worshippers abducted during a deadly attack on a church crusade in Ekiti State.

The lawmakers urged security agencies to launch coordinated operations to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The resolution followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, Kolawole Akinlayo during Wednesday’s plenary.

Recall that on April 28, 2026, 16 worshippers were abducted during an evening service at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of the State. The gunmen also killed the presiding pastor.

After initially demanding the sum of N1bn ransom which was later reduced to N50m, the community raised and paid N10.5m to the abductors. Despite this, the abducted victims remain in captivity.

Presenting the motion, Akinlayo recounted how suspected armed assailants invaded a church during an open-air crusade, opening fire on worshippers and leaving a trail of death and devastation.

The lawmaker told the House that the attackers, who were armed with sophisticated weapons and operated in large numbers, “killed a pastor and abducted several congregants, including women, elderly persons and children.”

He added, “The gunmen carried out the operation for several minutes without resistance before retreating into nearby forests with their victims.”

He expressed concern that the incident underscored the growing insecurity confronting rural communities and places of worship across the country.

Akinlayo noted that the attack not only resulted in the loss of innocent lives but also “violated citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of worship and further eroded public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.”

The House observed that the assault highlighted “persistent security vulnerabilities in rural communities and places of worship, and the growing boldness of criminal elements.”

Lawmakers also acknowledged the response of the Ekiti State Government and security agencies, noting the swift deployment of operatives to the affected area and ongoing efforts to rescue those still in captivity.

Following deliberations, the House condemned the attack and expressed sympathy with the affected families and the Eda Oniyo community.

The House urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted worshippers and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.

It also called on the federal government to strengthen security presence in Ekiti State and other vulnerable communities through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.

As part of its resolutions, the House mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and Army to engage relevant security agencies, “investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.”

Lawmakers further called on the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant bodies to provide relief and support to affected families.

The attack in Eda Oniyo is one of the latest in a series of security incidents affecting communities in parts of the South-West, where concerns have grown over kidnappings, attacks on travellers and incursions into remote settlements.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting forest corridors that cut across several states, making coordinated security operations essential to tackling the threat.

For residents of Eda Oniyo and neighbouring communities, however, the immediate concern remains the safe return of the abducted worshippers and justice for those who lost their lives in the attack.