Kwara LG Suspends Night Vigils Following Deadly Attack

The Executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area in Kwara State, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, has ordered an indefinite suspension of night vigil services across the council’s worship centres.

The decision follows a gunmen attack at Ori-Oke Ajaiye near Ikerin-Opin during a Christian night vigil, which left three worshippers dead and 15 others abducted.

Based on recommendations from the council’s security advisory team, Gabriel instructed religious organisations in remote communities to relocate services to central community areas and to limit daytime services to a maximum of two hours.

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Prince Dada Sunday, the Chief Press Secretary to the council chairman, explained that the decision was prompted by concerns over continued night services in isolated areas despite repeated warnings to churches and mosques through the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the League of Imams.

The chairman emphasized that “faith cannot be practised at the expense of life” and urged communities to prioritise safety over ritual, saying, “No prayer is more valuable than human life.”

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Awelewa described the midnight raid as a painful reminder that insecurity thrives in unguarded areas where warnings are ignored, noting that the church’s hilltop location made timely intervention by security forces impossible.

The council assured residents that it would work closely with the state government and security agencies to rescue the abducted worshippers and strengthen surveillance around vulnerable communities.

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Gabriel also expressed deep sympathy to the families of those killed and abducted during the attack, reaffirming the council’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of its people.

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