Gunmen Kill Three Worshippers, Abduct 15 in Kwara Community
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Panic has gripped residents of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected armed bandits attacked a prayer ground, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil.
The attack occurred at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the early hours of Saturday, according to the Kwara State Police Command.
The incident was reportedly brought to the attention of the police by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who said the assailants stormed the prayer gathering around 8:30 p.m. on Friday while members of the church were holding a vigil at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village.
According to the police, the gunmen opened fire sporadically on the worshippers, killing three persons on the spot before whisking away 15 others to an unknown location.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Command had launched an intensive rescue operation to secure the release of the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
She said: “Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.”
The spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full-scale tactical and intelligence-led operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets.
Describing the incident as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” the CP assured families of the victims that the Command would do everything possible to rescue those abducted and bring the attackers to justice.
“The Command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the heinous act,” the statement added.
The police further disclosed that security operatives had intensified bush combing, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations across the area as part of efforts to track down the criminals.
Residents of the State were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation.
