BREAKING: Gunmen Invade Ekiti Church Crusade, Kill Pastor, Abduct Worshippers

Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday evening in Eda Oniyo community, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, after suspected gunmen invaded an open-air church crusade, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the crusade ground on the outskirts of the community in large numbers, opening fire sporadically and causing worshippers to flee in different directions.

Multiple community sources said the armed men operated for several minutes before whisking away an unspecified number of victims into a nearby forest.

“This evening, gunmen invaded a church around the outskirts of Eda Oniyo during a programme. They abducted several worshippers, including elderly persons and children,” one source said.

“They shot the pastor and took the worshippers into the forest. They came in large numbers and were heavily armed.”

The slain cleric was said to be the officiating pastor of the crusade, while other worshippers were reportedly injured during the attack.

Although the exact number of abducted persons is yet to be confirmed, residents said the incident has thrown the entire community into panic and fear.

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A resident described the attack as sudden and coordinated, noting that the gunmen operated without resistance before fleeing into the surrounding bush paths with their victims.

A top government official and member of the state’s security committee, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed the incident and said security operatives had already been deployed to the area.

According to the official, combined teams of police officers, local security outfits and vigilantes have begun a search-and-rescue operation in nearby forests to locate the abducted worshippers and track the attackers.

“Yes, some worshippers were kidnapped in Eda Oniyo today. Security agencies are already involved. Operatives have been deployed and are on the trail of the attackers,” the source said.

The official added that the government is working to ensure the safe rescue of all victims.

Meanwhile, attempts to obtain an official reaction from the Ekiti State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, were not returned at the time of filing this report.

The attack adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted rural communities, highways, and gatherings, including religious events.

Security analysts have warned that isolated communities and open-air religious gatherings remain vulnerable due to limited surveillance and delayed emergency response times.

Residents of Eda Oniyo and neighbouring communities have called for urgent deployment of more security personnel to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the area.

As of press time, authorities had not released the exact number of abducted worshippers, while search operations were ongoing in surrounding forested areas.

BREAKING: Gunmen Invade Ekiti Church Crusade, Kill Pastor, Abduct Worshippers

EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised fresh concern over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, warning that internet fraud is becoming deeply rooted within the country’s higher institutions.

Olukoyede made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) held in Kano State.

The conference focused on strengthening university administration, financial accountability and the integration of emerging technologies into tertiary education management.

Addressing participants at the event, the EFCC chairman said recent findings by the anti-graft agency revealed an alarming rise in the number of students involved in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

“My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation,” Olukoyede said.

According to him, many suspects arrested during recent EFCC operations across the country were discovered to be undergraduates from different institutions.

He stressed that the problem is widespread and no longer limited to a few campuses, warning that organised cybercrime networks are increasingly recruiting young people within universities.

Olukoyede linked the growing trend to weak institutional monitoring systems, poor accountability structures and societal obsession with quick wealth.

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The EFCC chairman also revealed that investigations uncovered cases where proceeds from internet fraud were allegedly used to compromise academic processes and influence officials within some institutions.

According to him, some lecturers and school personnel have allegedly been bribed by students involved in cybercrime, a development he described as a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

He warned that allowing corruption and criminality to thrive within universities could damage the integrity of future professionals and national institutions.

“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a matter of national security,” he stated.

Olukoyede cited the EFCC’s major operation in Lagos in December 2024 during which 792 suspected cyber fraudsters were arrested in a large-scale raid linked to online scam syndicates.

According to him, investigations from that operation exposed the level of organisation and sophistication now associated with cybercrime networks operating in Nigeria.

The EFCC boss further raised alarm over the increasing spread of “Yahoo Plus,” a dangerous form of internet fraud associated with ritual practices and spiritual manipulation.

He described the trend as deeply troubling and called for urgent national intervention to prevent further moral decline among young Nigerians.

Olukoyede urged university authorities to strengthen internal control mechanisms, improve student monitoring systems and collaborate more closely with security agencies to curb cybercrime on campuses.

He also advocated for wider adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in university administration, particularly in payroll management, procurement systems, financial auditing and academic monitoring.

According to him, AI-powered systems can help institutions detect suspicious financial activities, identify irregular salary payments and improve transparency in governance processes.

The EFCC chairman disclosed that the anti-corruption agency has already begun deploying artificial intelligence tools for digital investigations, financial intelligence gathering and cybercrime tracking operations.

He added that the commission would continue expanding the use of technology in combating corruption, financial crimes and online fraud across the country.

Olukoyede’s comments come amid rising concern over the increasing number of young Nigerians being arrested for internet fraud and related cyber offences in different parts of the country.

Security experts and education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the glamorisation of luxury lifestyles, social media pressure and unemployment are contributing to the growing attraction of cybercrime among youths.

EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

Terrorists Threaten To Kill 176 Kwara Hostages Within One Week

Tension has escalated in Kwara State after terrorists holding 176 abducted residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area reportedly threatened to begin killing the captives within one week if their demands are not met.

The alarming warning was disclosed by the traditional ruler of Woro, Salihu Bio, whose wife is among the victims currently being held by the insurgents.

According to the monarch, the terrorists communicated the threat after a Jumu’ah prayer session held last Friday inside their hideout.

Bio said one of the abductees was later allowed to contact family members by telephone on Saturday to confirm that the victims were still alive.

The caller reportedly revealed that the captives, mostly women and children, were being subjected to Arabic lessons and Islamic indoctrination while in captivity.

“The abductees told us that after the Friday prayers, the terrorists said the government was not taking the issue seriously. They warned that if nothing happens within one week, they will start taking drastic actions,” the monarch stated.

Community leaders said the terrorists, believed to be members of Boko Haram, expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s alleged silence and lack of negotiation efforts since the abduction occurred earlier this year.

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According to sources within the community, the insurgents complained about the burden of feeding and keeping the large number of captives, insisting that authorities had failed to engage them meaningfully despite repeated attempts to draw attention to the situation.

More disturbing details reportedly emerged from conversations with the abductees.

The terrorists allegedly threatened to forcibly marry off some of the female captives and execute weaker victims if no agreement is reached before the deadline expires.

One community source described the situation as heartbreaking, saying families were living in fear and uncertainty.

“These are our wives, daughters and children. We are helpless because the terrorists are threatening to kill them or force them into marriage,” the source said.

The latest development has heightened panic across Kaiama Local Government Area and neighbouring communities already traumatised by repeated attacks linked to insurgent groups operating around the Kainji Lake National Park axis.

Security analysts have increasingly warned about the growing infiltration of extremist groups into parts of North-Central Nigeria, particularly forested areas spanning Kwara and Niger states.

The mass abduction followed deadly attacks earlier in 2026 in which dozens of villagers were reportedly killed while homes and properties were destroyed during coordinated raids on communities in Kaiama axis.

Videos previously circulated online by the terrorists showed large numbers of women and children seated in open areas while armed men issued threats and accused the government of ignoring their demands.

Despite mounting pressure from residents and civil society groups, there has been no official public statement yet from the Federal Government or security agencies regarding the fresh ultimatum.

Community leaders, religious groups and affected families are now calling for urgent intervention to secure the release of the hostages before the deadline expires.

They also appealed for stronger military operations and intelligence gathering to prevent extremist groups from establishing deeper roots in Kwara State and other parts of North-Central Nigeria.

Terrorists Threaten To Kill 176 Kwara Hostages Within One Week