Ondo State – Outrage erupted in the Uso community of Owo Local Government Area on Wednesday as residents took to the streets, blocking the Akure-Owo Expressway for several hours in a fiery protest over the abduction of five worshippers from the Celestial Church of Christ during a late-night vigil.
The incident, which occurred around 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday, sent shockwaves across the region when armed assailants stormed the church premises located along the major highway and forcefully kidnapped six worshippers, whisking them into a nearby forest under cover of darkness. One of the victims managed to escape and returned to the community to raise the alarm, leaving five others still in captivity.
The brazen attack on a house of worship has sparked widespread fear and anger among residents, who say the rising tide of insecurity in Ondo State has gone unchecked for too long. In a show of mass solidarity and desperation, community members converged on the Akure-Owo Expressway, halting traffic and chanting protest songs that echoed their demand for justice and safety.
“We are here to tell the government that insecurity in Ondo State is increasing,” said Deoye, a local resident and one of the protest leaders. “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.”
The protest, which lasted for several hours, disrupted travel and commerce along one of the state’s most vital transportation corridors. Protesters carried placards reading “Save Uso,” “Bring Back Our People,” and “Stop Kidnapping in Ondo,” emphasizing their frustration with what they perceive as inadequate security measures.
The kidnapping has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities and places of worship across the state. While Nigeria’s northern regions have long grappled with armed banditry and terrorism, incidents like this suggest that lawlessness is now spreading with increasing boldness to the south-western parts of the country.
In response, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh. According to Jimoh, immediate action was taken upon receipt of the distress call.
“The command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilized to the scene and commenced a coordinated rescue operation,” DSP Jimoh said. “One of the abducted worshippers has been successfully rescued. Additionally, a suspected informant linked to the kidnapping has been arrested and is currently assisting in our investigation.”
He assured the public that operations are ongoing to track down the kidnappers and safely recover the remaining five victims. “We are doing everything within our power to ensure the safe return of all those still in captivity,” Jimoh added.
Despite the reassurances, many residents remain skeptical. They point to a pattern of delayed responses and unresolved cases across the state. Community leaders have called for a sustained security presence in rural areas, the deployment of more advanced surveillance systems, and greater collaboration between security agencies and local self-help groups.
Religious leaders in the area have also weighed in, decrying the violation of sacred spaces. “A church is supposed to be a sanctuary—a place of peace and refuge,” said a spokesperson for the Celestial Church of Christ. “To see our members abducted during prayer is a profound betrayal of our communal values and safety.”
As the sun set on Wednesday, the highway reopened, but the tension in Uso remains palpable. Families of the missing are holding prayer vigils, hoping for a miracle, while authorities continue their search in the dense forest where the victims were reportedly taken.
This incident underscores a growing crisis: no community, not even a house of worship, is immune to the rising tide of insecurity in Nigeria. For the people of Ondo State, the message is clear—protection and peace cannot be taken for granted. The protest on the Akure-Owo Expressway was not just about five missing worshippers—it was a cry for dignity, safety, and government accountability.
The state government must now answer: how many more lives must be disrupted before decisive action is taken?
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Have your say: What steps do you think should be taken to improve security in Ondo State and protect religious communities? Share your thoughts in the comments.
