Suspected terrorists have attacked a church night vigil in Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a late-night raid on a prayer ground in the state’s Ekiti Local Government Area.
The attack reportedly occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, situated on the outskirts of Ikiran village, where members of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala Church had gathered for an overnight vigil service.
According to local sources, heavily armed gunmen stormed the prayer ground in large numbers and began firing gunshots repeatedly, causing panic among worshippers and nearby residents.
Witnesses said the sound of gunfire sent people fleeing in different directions as the attackers operated for several minutes before escaping through nearby forest routes with the abducted victims.
Residents of the community reportedly spent most of the night searching surrounding bushes and neighbouring villages for missing relatives and loved ones after the attack.
A local resident, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said several families were unable to immediately locate their relatives following the chaos.
“People ran in different directions because of the heavy gunfire. Many families spent the night looking for their loved ones after the attackers escaped,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.
According to the police spokesperson, the incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala Church, who informed security authorities that armed hoodlums invaded the vigil ground, killed three worshippers and forcefully abducted 15 others to an unknown location.
The police said officers attached to the Ekiti Division immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving the distress report.
Following the attack, Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi ordered a full-scale tactical and intelligence-led rescue operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel and intelligence units.
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The police command disclosed that security operatives have already launched bush-combing operations and other coordinated search efforts aimed at rescuing the abducted worshippers and arresting those responsible for the attack.
Residents were urged to remain calm and support security agencies with useful information that could assist ongoing rescue operations and investigations.
The latest incident has further heightened concerns over growing insecurity and attacks on rural communities and places of worship in parts of the country.
