Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has held a security meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, following renewed attacks in parts of the state.
According to the Kwara State government, the meeting focused on strengthening security operations and improving public safety after fresh attacks were reported in Ekiti and Yashikira communities within the last 24 hours.
The state government disclosed that additional police tactical squads had already been deployed to affected areas to confront the emerging threats and reassure residents.
Key Highlights:
- Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq met with Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu to discuss strengthening security measures following renewed attacks in parts of Kwara State.
- Three worshippers were killed and 15 others abducted when gunmen attacked a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area on Saturday night.
- The attack occurred while church members were praying, with armed assailants reportedly opening fire before kidnapping several worshippers, according to the Kwara State Police Command.
- In a separate attack in Yashikira, Baruten Local Government Area, suspected bandits assaulted the police divisional headquarters and the emir’s palace, abducting 10 people, including the emir’s wives and children, and setting part of the palace ablaze.
- Security agencies have responded by deploying additional police tactical squads and launching a joint military-police operation involving vigilantes and forest guards to rescue victims, apprehend the attackers, and restore security in the affected communities.
The latest development comes after gunmen attacked a prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil on Saturday night.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed that the attack occurred while members of a church were observing prayers at the remote worship centre in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of the council area.
Police said the incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun, who was leading the vigil when armed assailants stormed the venue and opened fire sporadically before abducting several worshippers.
In a separate incident early Monday, suspected bandits reportedly launched a coordinated midnight attack on the Yashikira community in Baruten Local Government Area.
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The attackers allegedly targeted the Yashikira Police Divisional Headquarters and the palace of the emir of Yashikira, abducting 10 persons, including wives and children of the traditional ruler, Umar Seriki, while setting part of the palace on fire.
The police described the attack as a “coordinated and desperate operation” carried out around 2:00 a.m.
Following the incident, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi reportedly ordered a joint tactical operation involving the military, police operatives, vigilantes, forest guards, and other security stakeholders to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
The command stated that security agencies remained fully prepared to confront criminal elements, dismantle their networks, and ensure the safe rescue of abducted victims.
