A branch of Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has been attacked by gunmen who killed a pastor and abducted several worshipers during a vigil service.

Confirming the incident, the Ekiti police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said a manhunt has been launched to arrest the perpetrators.

According to him, about five armed men stormed the church around 10:30pm while worshippers were holding a service, shot the pastor and abducted some members of the church.

The spokesperson stated that a joint security operation consisting of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshals, local vigilantes and hunters, are already on a mission to rescue the abductees.

“The Police in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, the Agro Marshal, the Vigilantes and the local hunters have commenced an aggressive bush combing operations and a serious manhunt on the perpetrators in order to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the culprits,” he said in a statement.

“The commissioner of Police calls for calm as necessary steps are currently being taken to salvage the situation and forestall recurrence.

“Members of the public are charged to be security conscious, vigilant and promptly report any suspicious person or group of persons found within their environments to the police and other security agencies for necessary proactive actions.”

He urged religious organisaitons to comply with the state government’s directive to inform security agents concerning worship activities that might extend late into the night.