Gunmen invade Kwara prayer ground, kill three, abduct 15 worshippers

…Kwara CP deploys Tactical teams on rescue operation

By Ahmed Olayinka

Armed hoodlums have attacked a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil.

The incident occurred on Friday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti LGA.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village.

The cleric explained that the victims were participating in a night vigil at the prayer ground when the gunmen invaded the area at about 8:30 p.m., shooting sporadically before whisking several worshippers away to an unknown destination.

“The armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons while abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination,” the statement said.

Following the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ekiti Division reportedly mobilised operatives to the scene for immediate response.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, has since ordered a full-scale tactical and intelligence-driven rescue operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel, intelligence units and other security operatives.

The police commissioner condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, callous and unacceptable.

He assured families of the victims and residents of the area that the command was fully committed to rescuing the abducted worshippers and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.

The police also disclosed that coordinated security operations, including bush combing and intelligence gathering, were ongoing to track down the assailants.

Residents of Ekiti Local Government Area and neighbouring communities were urged to remain calm, vigilant and support security agencies with credible information that could assist the rescue efforts.

The command assured that further updates would be provided as investigations and rescue operations progress.