Gunmen struck in the early hours of Wednesday, abducting six worshippers at a Celestial Church along the Uso/Owo Expressway in Uso, Ondo State, in a fresh wave of insecurity that has unsettled residents of the area.
The incident, which occurred at about 12:50 a.m. on February 25, 2026, was confirmed by the Ondo State Police Command, which said the victims were taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.
According to the Command spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, the abduction took place while the worshippers were observing a church activity at the time of the attack. The assailants were said to have stormed the church premises and whisked the victims away before fleeing the scene.
Jimoh disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, immediately ordered a coordinated security response upon receiving information about the incident.
"Operatives of the Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, were swiftly mobilised to the area to commence rescue operations and track down the perpetrators," he said.
The police disclosed that sustained joint efforts by security agencies have so far yielded results, with one of the kidnapped worshippers successfully rescued.
In addition, one suspect linked to the incident has been arrested. The Command noted that the suspect has made useful statements that are assisting ongoing investigations and efforts to apprehend other members of the gang.
Security operations, according to the police, are still ongoing to secure the safe release of the remaining victims and ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that all available resources have been deployed to intensify the search-and-rescue mission.
Residents were urged to remain calm and vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could support the ongoing operations.
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