Residents of Ondo State on Wednesday blocked the Akure–Owo Expressway for several hours in protest against the abduction of worshippers during a vigil at a Celestial Church of Christ in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area.
The assailants reportedly stormed the church located along the busy highway around midnight on Tuesday and whisked six worshippers into the forest.
One of the victims later escaped, leaving five others in captivity.
The incident sparked outrage in Uso, with residents taking to the expressway to demand urgent government intervention over what they described as worsening insecurity in the state.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs and insisted that authorities must step up efforts to protect lives and property.
One of the demonstrators, identified as Deoye, said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to the alarming security situation.
“We are here to tell the government that insecurity in Ondo State is increasing. Imagine innocent people worshipping their God being kidnapped inside a church. This is unacceptable. The government must be more proactive in protecting lives and property,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the attack occurred at about 12:50 a.m., when armed men invaded the church and took the victims to an unknown destination.
According to him, operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, swiftly mobilised to the scene and launched a coordinated rescue operation.
Jimoh disclosed that one of the abducted worshippers had been rescued, while a suspected informant linked to the attack had been arrested and was assisting investigators.
He added that security operations were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend all those responsible for the crime.
