Gunmen Kill Three, Abduct 15 Worshippers in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that three worshippers were killed and 15 others abducted after armed assailants attacked a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area.

The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis, causing panic in surrounding communities.

Local sources said that terrorists stormed the area in large numbers, targeting worshippers and residents before fleeing through nearby forest paths.

A resident explained that villagers spent the night searching for missing relatives after the gunmen had escaped.

“People were running in different directions because of the gunshots, and some families could not locate their relatives until the next morning,” he said.

Confirming the incident on Sunday in Ilorin, Kwara State Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi reported that Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo described the attack as both gruesome and condemnable.

“The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the killing and abduction of innocent worshippers by armed criminals at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran Village,” the statement read.

The police explained that the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who was conducting a night vigil with his congregation when the assailants struck.

“While conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically,” the Commissioner stated.

He confirmed that three worshippers were killed and 15 others abducted to an unknown location by the gunmen.

Police operatives attached to the Ekiti Division were immediately mobilised to the scene following the distress report.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, promptly deployed operatives to the area,” Adekimi noted.

The Commissioner added that he had ordered a coordinated tactical and intelligence-driven operation to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.

“A comprehensive operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other resources has been deployed for a coordinated rescue mission,” he said.

Describing the attack as barbaric, the police boss assured residents that the command remained committed to restoring security in the affected communities.

“The command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind this heinous act,” he promised.

He further assured that security operatives had intensified bush combing and intelligence gathering across the area to track down the assailants.

“Vigorous efforts, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations, are ongoing to bring the attackers to justice,” the statement added.

The police urged members of the public to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing rescue and security efforts.

This latest attack adds to a pattern of assaults on worship centres in Kwara South, heightening fear in rural communities.

In November 2025, armed bandits attacked Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 congregants, who were later rescued after a security operation.

In March 2026, another ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun LGA, was attacked, with eleven worshippers abducted; three were rescued while eight remained in captivity at the time of reporting.

Both incidents intensified fear among rural residents and prompted increased security operations across forested areas in Kwara State.

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