Security operatives have rescued one of six worshippers abducted from a Celestial Church in Uso, Ondo State, and arrested a suspect as search efforts continue for the remaining victims.
Operatives of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued one of the six worshippers abducted by gunmen at a Celestial Church of Christ in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, and arrested a suspect. The development was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post shared on X, where he stated that the joint operation led to the rescue of one victim, identified as Testimony Adebola.
Gunmen had reportedly stormed the church located along the Benin–Owo Expressway during an early-morning service on Wednesday, abducting six worshippers and whisking them away to an unknown location. In response, security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer in Uso, the Ondo State Police Command, local vigilante groups and hunters, launched a coordinated search operation across surrounding forests and neighbouring communities. “The joint efforts led to the rescue of one victim, Testimony Adebola, and the arrest of a suspect,” Zagazola added.
Authorities said additional personnel have been deployed to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining five victims and apprehend the attackers, urging residents to remain calm. The incident adds to growing security concerns in the state, coming days after the abduction of a couple in Ilu-Abo, Akure North Local Government Area, and a January attack on a police station in Ipele, Owo LGA. Reacting to the church attack, an eyewitness identified simply as Emmanuel wrote on X: “Live from Uso this morning, kidnappers kidnapped six people at Celestial Church along Benin–Owo Expressway. This kidnapping issue is alarming. Government shouldn’t be trading our lives with kidnappers,” he wrote.
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