Armed gunmen abducted six worshippers during a midnight church service in southwest Nigeria, underscoring persistent security challenges in parts of the country.
The attack occurred around 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday at a parish of the Celestial Church of Christ in Uso, a community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to local residents, the assailants fired shots into the air to disperse congregants attending the night vigil before forcibly taking six worshippers to an undisclosed location.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said officers were deployed to the area immediately after receiving a distress call.
Police spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi, stated that security forces have since rescued one of the abducted worshippers and arrested a suspect believed to be connected to the attack.
The suspect is reportedly providing information to assist ongoing investigations.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of the remaining victims and to apprehend other members of the armed group.
Kidnappings for ransom and armed attacks have become a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria in recent years, affecting civilians, travelers, students, and religious institutions.