On Saturday, gunmen launched an attack on the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abule-Ori, located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The attack took place around midnight during a vigil, resulting in the death of the pastor and the abduction of seven worshippers.
The State So-Safe Corps Commander, Soji Ganzallo, confirmed the incident and stated that his officers successfully rescued the seven church members and killed one of the kidnappers during a rescue operation.
In a statement issued by the So-Safe Corps Director of Information and Public Relations, Moruf Yusuf, Ganzallo mentioned that the special operation team of the Corps, specifically the Owode-Egba Zonal Command under ACC Jimoh Rasaki Omoniyi, received a distress call regarding the attack.
The call reported that members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Desires of Nations Parish, belonging to Ogun Province 22, had been targeted during their vigil, resulting in the kidnapping of seven members and the tragic death of the pastor.
“The seven victims were rescued unhurt, while one of the kidnappers was killed and many of the suspects sustained serious injury during a fire exchange.”
Also, confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state Command, Omolola Odutola, said the command was aware.
Odutola said one of the pastors of the church, Adesina Oyesegun, reported the incident at the Police Station in the area.
The PPRO added that at about 03:30 pm on Saturday, Oyesegun said, “He was in church with other pastors and church members, when some hoodlums numbering about seven invaded their church, attacked them with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons with intent to Kidnap members.
She said, “The hoodlums were shooting sporadically, and as a result, one Pastor Kayode Oluwakemi, 56, sustained bullet wounds on his chest and unfortunately died on the spot.
“The villagers and security men in the area attracted the neighbouring villagers and security men, who confronted the suspected Kidnappers in a gun duel.
“The kidnapped victims have regained their freedom.
“Some of the Suspected Kidnappers escaped with bullet wounds, one yet to be identified suspected kidnapper was neutralised while combing the bush and the corpse was deposited at Owode Egba General Hospital Morgue.
“Effort is in progress to arrest the other fleeing suspects that are still at large.”
