Tension gripped parts of Ondo State on Wednesday as angry residents barricaded the Akure–Owo Expressway in protest against the abduction of worshippers at a church in Uso, Owo Local Government Area.
The demonstrators blocked the busy highway for hours, demanding decisive action from authorities following the late-night attack on a branch of the Celestial Church of Christ located along the expressway.
According to community sources, armed men invaded the church shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday while a vigil service was underway. The attackers reportedly seized six congregants and forced them into a nearby forest. One of the captives later managed to escape, leaving five others still in the custody of their abductors.
The incident triggered widespread anger in Uso, with residents accusing the government of failing to curb rising insecurity in the state. Protesters chanted solidarity songs and called for stronger security presence, insisting that worshippers should not be targeted in places of prayer.
A resident who identified himself as Deoye said the protest was intended to draw urgent attention to the deteriorating security situation.
He lamented that citizens could no longer feel safe, even inside religious centres, and urged the state government to take proactive steps to safeguard lives and property.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh stated that the gunmen struck around 12:50 a.m. and took the victims to an undisclosed location.
Jimoh said security operatives, working alongside the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, quickly responded and initiated a joint rescue mission. He revealed that one of the abducted worshippers had been rescued, while a suspected informant connected to the incident had been apprehended and was assisting investigators.
Authorities added that operations are ongoing to free the remaining captives and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
