Fear and grief spread across parts of Kwara State after armed attackers invaded a church night vigil in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others.
The attack occurred on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran village, where members of a church congregation had gathered for prayers.
Residents said the gunmen stormed the prayer ground around 8:30 p.m., firing sporadically and causing panic among worshippers and nearby villagers, many of whom fled into surrounding areas for safety.
A local resident, who spoke anonymously, described scenes of confusion as families searched overnight for missing relatives.
“People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. Some families could not even find their relatives until this morning,” the source said.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, condemned the attack and described it as brutal and unacceptable.
According to the police, the incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who said armed men invaded the vigil ground while members of the congregation were praying.
“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,” the statement read.
Police authorities said officers from the Ekiti Division responded immediately after receiving the distress report.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed a full-scale tactical and intelligence-led operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel and other security units to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.
The police described the assault as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable” and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the kidnapped worshippers.
Security agencies also confirmed that bush combing operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated deployments are continuing across the affected communities. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and provide useful information to support rescue efforts and investigations.
