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By: Roland Subomi
Fear and confusion gripped residents of Aboru on Sunday after suspected gunmen attacked a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Adebiyi Street, leaving several worshippers feared dead and many others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the church during the service, firing shots and sending congregants scrambling for safety.
Emergency responders later evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals, while security operatives cordoned off the area.
Although authorities had yet to confirm the casualty figure as of press time, local sources described the attack as devastating, with multiple victims reportedly receiving treatment for gunshot wounds and other injuries sustained in the chaos.
The latest incident has revived painful memories in the Aboru community, which in December 2023 witnessed a similar wave of violence when the home of a Lagos-based missionary, Adegoroye Victor Kehinde, was set ablaze in what authorities described as a suspected insurgent-linked attack.
Kehinde, also a member of the RCCG, had earlier survived a violent disruption of a church crusade in Maiduguri, Borno State, before tragedy struck his family residence months later, where attackers searched for him and his family to kill and vowed to fish him out.
Residents say Sunday’s assault has heightened fears of possible spillover of extremist violence into parts of Lagos long considered relatively insulated from insurgency activities concentrated in the North-East.
“We thought what happened in 2023 was an isolated case. Now this again. People are afraid. Churches and Missionaries should not become targets. ” A resident told reporters,.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that security agencies had launched an investigation into the latest attack and assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
Community leaders have called for increased patrols around places of worship and closer intelligence monitoring to prevent further incidents.
As investigations continue, church leaders have urged members to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement authorities while prayers are offered for the victims and their families.
Fear and confusion gripped residents of Aboru on Sunday after suspected gunmen attacked a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Adebiyi Street, leaving several worshippers feared dead and many others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the church during the service, firing shots and sending congregants scrambling for safety.
Emergency responders later evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals, while security operatives cordoned off the area.
Although authorities had yet to confirm the casualty figure as of press time, local sources described the attack as devastating, with multiple victims reportedly receiving treatment for gunshot wounds and other injuries sustained in the chaos.
The latest incident has revived painful memories in the Aboru community, which in December 2023 witnessed a similar wave of violence when the home of a Lagos-based missionary, Adegoroye Victor Kehinde, was set ablaze in what authorities described as a suspected insurgent-linked attack.
Kehinde, also a member of the RCCG, had earlier survived a violent disruption of a church crusade in Maiduguri, Borno State, before tragedy struck his family residence months later, where attackers searched for him and his family to kill and vowed to fish him out.
Residents say Sunday’s assault has heightened fears of possible spillover of extremist violence into parts of Lagos long considered relatively insulated from insurgency activities concentrated in the North-East.
“We thought what happened in 2023 was an isolated case. Now this again. People are afraid. Churches and Missionaries should not become targets. ” A resident told reporters,.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that security agencies had launched an investigation into the latest attack and assured residents that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
Community leaders have called for increased patrols around places of worship and closer intelligence monitoring to prevent further incidents.
As investigations continue, church leaders have urged members to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement authorities while prayers are offered for the victims and their families.
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