Gunmen Storm Church in Ondo, Abduct Worshippers During Early Morning Service

Suspected gunmen have attacked a Celestial Church in Uso, in the Owo council area of Ondo State, abducting six worshippers during an early morning service.

An eyewitness said the attackers invaded the church premises in the early hours of Tuesday and whisked the victims away to an unknown destination. The source added that one of the abducted worshippers later escaped from the kidnappers shortly after the incident.

Family members of the victims disclosed that, as of the time of reporting, the abductors had not yet contacted them.

Confirming the incident, the state police spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, said the attack occurred at about 12:50 a.m. on February 25, 2026, at a Celestial Church located along the Uso–Owo motorway.

“Six worshippers were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by the attackers,” Abayomi said.

He added that operatives of the police command, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and launched coordinated rescue operations.

“As a result of sustained joint efforts, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued. In addition, one suspected informant linked to the incident has been arrested and is currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.

According to the police, security operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of all those involved in the attack.

Abayomi urged residents of the area to remain calm and vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue and security operations.