Insecurity: Suspend night worship for now, Ondo CP tells religious leaders
The Ondo Police Command has called on worshippers, particularly the Christians and Muslims, to suspend night worship amid the worsening security challenges in the state. The Commissioner of Police in
The Ondo Police Command has called on worshippers, particularly the Christians and Muslims, to suspend night worship amid the worsening security challenges in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, made the call while updating journalists on the efforts of the combined security agencies to rescue the six abducted worshippers of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).
Suspected gunmen on Tuesday invaded a parish of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) at Uso in Owo Local Government Area of the state, abducting the worshippers during a church service held at midnight.
The assailants reportedly stormed the worship centre located on the busy Owo/Benin Expressway and forcibly marched the congregants into the bush.
However, one of the victims escaped from the abductors shortly after the incident, and the police nabbed an informant.
Sources had told The Nation that the abductors had reached out to the family of the victims, demanding a ransom of N100 million before they would be set free.
But briefing journalists on Friday, CP Lawal explained that the investigation carried out by the police revealed that the abducted worshippers were pregnant women and one of them was a physically challenged person.
He said the police have decided to reach out to religious leaders in the state to halt late-night activities temporarily due to the security challenges.
Adebowale added that the move would make it easier for the police to monitor religious activities during the daytime than at night.
"We have sent a signal to all area commanders advising religious leaders: Muslim, Christian, and traditional worshippers to suspend night worship for now because of the security challenges.
"And we have always advised religious leaders, if they want to do anything, they should carry us (police) along so we can give expert advice on whether it is safe for their congregation," he added.
He frowned at how worshippers, mostly pregnant women, now stay late at night in worship centres, stressing that such an attitude should not be encouraged in the face of daunting security challenges in the state.
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"I do not know when a church became a maternity home or hospital. If someone is pregnant, the best place should be a hospital or maternity home," CP Lawal added.
Meanwhile, abductors of the worshippers of the Celestial Church at Uso, in Owo Local Government Area of the state, have reportedly demanded N100 million for their release.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the abductors reached out to the family on Thursday and insisted on the payment before the victims would be freed.
The latest abduction comes amid rising insecurity in parts of the state.
A few days ago, a couple, Jamiu Olawale and his wife, were attacked and kidnapped at the entrance of their residence in Akure North LGA. sparking protests by residents over repeated kidnappings and killings in the area.
The couple was later released after they allegedly paid five million Naira as ransom.
Similarly, a traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agamo, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, was last week Wednesday killed by gunmen at his palace during a foiled kidnap attempt.
