Reporter: Kike Ajomole
Tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday when gunmen stormed the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Desire of Nations Parish, Abule-Ori, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing the parish pastor and abducting worshippers.
The Commander of the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, Saji Ganzallo, confirmed the incident on Sunday in Abeokuta.
He said the attackers invaded the church around midnight during a vigil service, opening fire and causing panic among the congregation.
Eyewitnesses recalled the chilling moment the assailants burst into the premises, shooting sporadically and shouting: “Where is Pastor Sam? Where is Pastor Sam?” before unleashing terror.
In the chaos, the parish pastor, Ezekiel Abosede, was gunned down, while another pastor, Samson Victor Faboade, believed to be the main target, was abducted alongside his brother and five other members.
Ganzallo explained that operatives of the So-Safe Corps immediately mobilized to the scene and engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel.
All seven abducted victims, including Pastor Faboade and his brother, were rescued unhurt, while one of the kidnappers was killed. Others escaped with gunshot wounds as operatives pursued them.
“The Owode-Egba Zonal Command received a distress call about the attack, and our officers swung into action immediately,” Ganzallo said. “The rescued victims are safe, and the body of the slain kidnapper has been deposited in a morgue.”
The attack rekindles painful memories of May 7, 2023, when bandits invaded a Baptist Church in Kaduna during Sunday service.
About 40 worshippers were abducted on that day, but only 16 eventually regained freedom.
Among the survivors was Pastor Faboade, who had been a special guest preacher at the service.
That Pastor Faboade, once a miraculous survivor of mass abduction, would again fall into the hands of kidnappers in his own church is a cruel twist of fate, one that underscores the worsening insecurity confronting places of worship across the country.
