Terrorists today Wednesday invaded a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso community, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducting six worshippers during an early-morning service.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the gunmen stormed the church located along the Benin–Owo Expressway in the early hours of Wednesday, causing panic among congregants before whisking away the victims to an unknown destination.
The latest abduction comes barely four days after armed assailants kidnapped a couple in Ilu-Abo community, Akure North Local Government Area, further deepening fears over worsening insecurity across the state.
An eyewitness, identified as Emmanuel, shared videos and photographs of the aftermath of the attack on social media platform X, describing the incident as part of a growing security crisis in the area.
“Live from Uso this morning 25th Feb 2026, kidnappers kidnapped 6 people at Celestial Church along Benin – Owo expressway, Uso, Owo LGA, Ondo State. This kidnapping issues is alarming in Uso, Owo LGA, Ondo State. Government shouldn’t be trading our lives with kidnappers,” he wrote.
Residents said repeated attacks by armed groups have heightened anxiety in several communities in Ondo State, with many accusing authorities of failing to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and violent assaults.
The incident adds to a series of security breaches recorded in the state since the beginning of 2026.
In January, residents of Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area were thrown into panic after suspected terrorists attacked and set a police station ablaze during a New Year’s Day assault.
The attackers struck in the early hours of January 1, burning down the police facility and several vehicles within the premises. The attack forced many residents to flee their homes amid fears of further violence.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters at the time showed the police station engulfed in flames while security personnel were later seen assessing the damage.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Ondo State had yet to issue an official statement on Wednesday’s church abduction, and it remains unclear whether security operatives have launched rescue operations for the kidnapped worshippers.
