Police in Ondo State have confirmed the abduction of six worshippers following a midnight attack on a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area, heightening fresh security concerns along the Akure–Owo highway corridor.
The incident occurred at about 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday when armed men, suspected to be kidnappers, stormed the church located along the Uso–Owo Expressway and forcefully whisked away six congregants to an undisclosed location.
Uso, situated along the busy Akure–Owo highway, has witnessed recurring security breaches in recent times, making the latest attack particularly alarming for residents and commuters.
Community sources disclosed that one of the abducted worshippers managed to escape shortly after the assault. As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the remaining victims remain unknown.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, immediately deployed operatives to the scene upon receiving distress reports.
According to Jimoh, police personnel, working in synergy with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, launched coordinated rescue operations aimed at tracking down the assailants and securing the victims’ freedom.
He revealed that sustained joint efforts have so far led to the successful rescue of one of the kidnapped worshippers and the arrest of a suspect connected to the attack. The suspect, he added, has provided valuable information assisting ongoing investigations.
Security operations are still underway to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims and to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The Command has appealed to residents to remain calm but vigilant, urging them to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable intelligence that could support ongoing rescue efforts.
