Panic swept through Eda Oniyo community in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Tuesday night after suspected bandits attacked an open-air religious crusade, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
The assailants were said to have stormed the venue of the programme, situated on the outskirts of the town, while the service was in progress, opening fire and throwing the congregation into disarray.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were heavily armed, operated for several minutes, forcing worshippers to flee into nearby bushes.
An unspecified number of victims were reportedly taken away as the gunmen retreated into a forest.
The Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Alaba, confirmed the incident, noting that the number of abducted persons could not be immediately determined as of Tuesday night.
He disclosed that attendance at the programme was estimated at about 50, adding that many participants escaped during the attack.
Alaba also confirmed that the body of the slain pastor, said to be from a neighbouring state, had been deposited in a morgue.
The Ekiti State Police Command, in a statement on Wednesday, corroborated the attack and announced the commencement of a manhunt for the perpetrators.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the Commissioner of Police, Micheal Falade, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident.
Preliminary findings, the police said, indicated that about five gunmen struck around 10:30 p.m. during an all-night prayer session of a Christ Apostolic Church, fatally shooting the cleric and abducting several worshippers.
The command added that a joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, vigilantes, and local hunters had launched coordinated bush-combing operations to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
While urging residents to remain calm, the police assured that efforts were ongoing to strengthen security and prevent a recurrence.
The Commissioner also advised religious organisations to notify security agencies ahead of late-night programmes to enable adequate security arrangements.