Gunmen abducted five worshippers in the early hours of Wednesday at a branch of the Celestial Church of Christ in Uso, Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State.
The attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. while a service was ongoing. The armed men stormed the church, seized the worshippers, and took them to an unknown location.
DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, confirmed the incident, stating that operatives, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised for a coordinated rescue operation.
“One of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued. Additionally, one suspect linked to the incident has been arrested and has made useful statements that are assisting with ongoing investigations,” Jimoh said.
Operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend all perpetrators. Residents have been urged to remain calm, vigilant, and provide credible information to aid security agencies.
The incident comes nearly four years after the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which left 41 people dead and 140 injured. Recently, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested a sixth suspect, Sani Yusuf, in connection with the attack, joining five others currently facing prosecution for acts of terrorism.
Ondo State has experienced a surge in armed banditry and kidnappings in recent months. On January 26, residents of Ilu-Abo community, Akure North LGA staged a protest over kidnappings, blocking the Airport–Owo Expressway after Oladeinde Tomilola was abducted from her home. During the incident, two neighbours were shot and a woman and her 11-year-old daughter sustained injuries.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, visited the community, condemning the attacks and assuring residents that security frameworks have been reinforced with additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures to ensure the arrest of perpetrators and prevent future incidents.
