The Ekiti State Government has disclosed that a full-scale surveillance operation has been activated at the Eda Oniyo axis to track down bandits who attacked a church in the community.
Gunmen had stormed a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, a border community with Kwara State, during a vigil service on Tuesday evening, killing the pastor and abducting about 15 worshippers into the forest.
The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement, said the state government had ordered the immediate deployment of the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, alongside its commanding officer, to the area.
“Full-scale surveillance operations have also been activated to comprehensively monitor the environment, track down the perpetrators, and forestall any further security breaches.”
“Security operatives remain on ground and are actively engaged in intensive search and rescue operations aimed at securing the safe return of all abducted persons,” he said.
The development came as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 17 (Ondo and Ekiti states), Ajani Omolabi, visited Eda Oniyo alongside the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, assuring that ongoing operations would be successful.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, also confirmed on Friday that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abductees and arrest the attackers.
Abutu said the joint security operation in the area involved the police, military, Department of State Services operatives, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, the police mobile force and local vigilantes.
“The AIG and Commissioner of Police were at Eda Oniyo Ekiti yesterday (Thursday). The AIG gave the assurance that the police were going to work round the clock to ensure that those kidnapped are released and the criminals arrested,” he said.
Recall that the state government had on Wednesday deployed a high-powered security delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), for an on-the-spot assessment and to coordinate operations in the affected community.
Ogundana, alongside the Police Commissioner, met a joint force of security agencies including the police, the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups to strengthen response efforts.
Olatunbosun said the government strongly condemned the attack, describing it as heinous and unacceptable.
“The Ekiti State Government strongly condemns the recent attack on Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area. The incident is heinous and unacceptable.
“The government extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures all residents that it remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state. No stone will be left unturned in efforts to rescue the abducted persons and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The commissioner noted that preliminary reports indicated the church was located close to a forest area, adding that residents in such locations must exercise heightened vigilance.
He advised against late-night activities, especially vigils in border communities and areas near forests, urging organisers to notify security agencies in advance for protection.
Citizens were also urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State condemned the attack, warning against attempts to politicise the incident.
In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, the party described the attack as senseless and barbaric.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, this senseless, barbaric act. Ekiti is a land of peace, and the people of Eda Oniyo are known for their industry and hospitality. To shed blood on that soil is to attack the very soul of our state.
“This is not politics. This is crime — pure and evil. Whoever did this is an enemy of Ekiti and must be treated as such,” the statement said.
The APC commended the swift response of security agencies and called for intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, insisting that justice must be swift and public to deter future attacks.