Lawmakers call for enhanced safety measures in Ekiti following church assault and kidnappings

The House of Representatives made a urgent call to the Federal Government on Wednesday to bolster security in Ekiti State and other vulnerable areas, in response to a brutal attack on a church in Ilejemeje Local Government Area that resulted in the death of a pastor and the abduction of several worshippers.

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This call to action came after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, which was sponsored by Rep. Kolawole Akinlayo during a plenary session, and highlighted the need for enhanced security measures to protect communities nationwide.

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Lawmakers emphasized the importance of improving intelligence gathering, surveillance, and response times to combat rising insecurity and safeguard rural communities across the country.

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The House also urged the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, Department of State Services, and other security agencies to escalate joint operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims and apprehending the perpetrators.

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According to Rep. Akinlayo, the attack occurred on April 28, 2026, in Eda Oniyo, where armed gunmen stormed a church during an open-air crusade, opening fire on worshippers and killing a pastor, while also abducting several congregants, including women, children, and the elderly.

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The assailants reportedly operated unchecked for several minutes before fleeing into nearby forests with their victims, leaving the community in a state of panic and highlighting the persistent security gaps in rural areas and places of worship.

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Rep. Akinlayo warned that such attacks pose a significant threat to lives, property, and constitutional freedoms, and noted that the growing audacity of armed groups undermines citizens' right to worship freely and erodes public confidence in the country's security system.

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Despite this, the lawmaker acknowledged the prompt response of security agencies and the ongoing efforts by the Ekiti State Government to rescue the victims.

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The House expressed sympathy for the families of the victims, particularly the relatives of the slain pastor, and the affected community, and urged the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant bodies to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims.

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In addition, the House mandated its Committees on National Security, Police Affairs, and Army to investigate the incident and recommend measures to prevent future attacks.