Kwara: Terrorists kill three, abduct 15 worshippers in church vigil

Terrorists during a church vigil killed three persons and abducted 15 worshippers in an attack at Ori-Oke Ajaiye in the outskirts of Ikiran village of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

It was reliably gathered that the gruesome attack occurred while the worshippers were observing vigil at about 8:30pm on Saturday.

This caused pandemonium within the surrounding communities.

Sources in the area had earlier disclosed that armed terrorists stormed the community in large numbers, attacking worshippers and residents before they fled through nearby forest routes.

Vanguard however gathered from a local who preferred not to be mentioned in print that many villagers spent the night searching for missing relatives and loved ones after the assailants escaped from the area.

He said: “People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. 

“Some families could not even find their relatives until this morning.”

Confirming the development on Sunday, the spokesperson, Kwara State Police Command and a Superintendent of Police, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, condemned the gruesome attack, killing, and abduction of innocent worshippers by the armed criminals.

According to the Ejire-Adeyemi: “The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA Kwara State, who stated that while conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, on 23rd May, 2026, at about 2030hrs, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons while abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.”

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, has directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission.

The Commissioner in the statement described the attack as barbaric, callous, and unacceptable, assuring the families of the deceased, the injured, and the abducted victims that the command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the heinous act.

The command also assured residents of Ekiti LGA and the entire state that vigorous efforts are ongoing, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.

It further urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.