•Protest
Residents of Ondo State blocked the Akure-Owo Expressway for hours in protest against the kidnapping of no fewer than five worshippers during a vigil at Celestial Church of Christ in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday night.
The assailants reportedly stormed the church located along the Akure–Owo Expressway around midnight and whisked six worshippers into the forest.
One of the victims later escaped, leaving five others in captivity, reports The PUNCH.
The incident sparked outrage in Uso, as residents yesterday staged a protest to draw the government’s attention to rising insecurity in the area. The protesters blocked the highway for several hours, chanting solidarity songs and demanding improved security.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Deoye, said the demonstration was necessary to highlight the worsening security situation in the state.
“We are here to tell the government that insecurity in Ondo State is increasing. Imagine innocent people worshipping their God being kidnapped inside a church.
This is unacceptable. The government must be more proactive in protecting lives and property,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had launched a coordinated operation to rescue the victims.
According to him, the kidnapping occurred at about 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday, when armed men abducted worshippers from the church premises and took them to an unknown destination.
“Upon receiving the report, operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced a coordinated rescue operation,” Jimoh said.
He disclosed that one of the abducted worshippers had been rescued, while a suspected informant linked to the incident had been arrested and was assisting the police with investigations.
The police spokesperson added that security operations were ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of all those involved.
