Ekiti Police Reject ‘No Security’ Claims, Vow to Rescue Eda Oniyo-Ekiti Church Attack Victims

By Joseph Sunday 

A tense war of words has erupted between the Ekiti State Police Command and online commentators after gunmen attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, with police dismissing viral claims of zero security presence as “politically motivated” and “a fallacy.”

In a detailed press release issued May 2, 2026, the Command pushed back on a video circulating on Arabatv that alleged the community was left without police or security cover.

“Perfectly Covered” by Iye Division:

While acknowledging no police division sits directly in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, the Command clarified the community falls under Iye-Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters. “Police Operatives from Iye Division have always engaged in constant visibility patrol in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti,” the statement read.

Authorities also cited “about three military bases/check points along that axis” covering the community, with “constant military patrol”.

Joint Task Force Already Active in Border Towns: 

The press release pointed to a wider security strategy across Ekiti State. With military and police operations intensifying in neighboring Kwara, Kogi, Osun, and parts of Northern Nigeria, the state government preemptively set up a Joint Task Force of Military, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, Agro Marshal, Vigilante, and Local Hunters.

The unit has been running “special bush combing operations, visibility patrols and constant monitoring of the rural areas especially the border towns,” with Eda Oniyo-Ekiti included.

“These security setups and operations have been ongoing successfully and perfectly well without any complaint of inadequate security coverage by anybody or group of persons from the community, not until the last incident occurred,” said SP Abutu Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer.

Immediate Response to Attack:

The Command stressed that security agencies responded immediately when the church incident was reported. “The Military, the Police and other security agencies moved to the scene of crime immediately and combed the bush up to neighboring Kwara State for the possible rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators”.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, personally led a team from Ado-Ekiti to the scene at about 11:00 PM the same night and stayed on ground till the following day.

Call for Constructive Engagement:

Police criticized what they called “self-acclaimed internet activists,” urging “constructive, solution-driven and meaningful criticism rather than engaging in unnecessary, emotionally and politically driven criticism”.

The Command added that organizers of the church program did not inform police or any security agency beforehand, despite the “vulnerable venue and time”. They invited critics to “visit the scene of crime and measure its proximity to the town” before blaming security agencies.

Rescue Efforts Ongoing:

“The Police and other security agencies including the local security outfits are currently focused on rescuing those abducted in the last incident and putting in place measures to forestall reoccurrence,” the statement said.

The Command appealed for calm, asked residents to stay vigilant, and promised to “continue to prioritize the security of lives and property of all residents of the State”.

Members of the public with credible information can reach the police on the emergency line: 08062335577.