Fear spread across Kwara State after armed attackers stormed a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area, killing three worshippers and abducting several others during a night vigil.
The deadly attack reportedly happened on Saturday night at the Ori-Oke Ajaiye prayer ground in Ikiran community.
According to police authorities, the gunmen invaded the prayer site around 8pm and opened fire on the congregation before taking away 15 people to an unknown location.
The incident has raised concerns about growing insecurity across parts of the South-West, especially around rural communities and isolated worship centres.
Furthermore, residents were left terrified after news of the attack spread across nearby villages on Sunday morning.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command strongly condemned the attack.
“The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the gruesome attack, killing, and abduction of innocent worshippers by armed criminals at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State,” the statement read.
According to the police, the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village.
The cleric reportedly informed security operatives that armed hoodlums suddenly invaded the prayer ground during the vigil.
“The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye 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 added.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area reportedly mobilised officers to the scene immediately after receiving the distress call.
In addition, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, ordered a large-scale rescue operation involving tactical teams, intelligence officers, and the police drone unit.
Security operatives have also begun extensive bush-combing operations around surrounding forests believed to be possible hideouts for the kidnappers.
Moreover, police authorities described the incident as “barbaric, callous, and unacceptable.”
The command assured families of the victims that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those abducted and arrest everyone linked to the crime.
This comes at a time when several communities in the South-West are already battling rising cases of kidnapping and deadly invasions.
Days earlier, gunmen attacked schools and communities in Oyo State, killing residents and abducting teachers and students.
The latest incident has therefore renewed calls for stronger security presence around worship centres, schools, and rural settlements.
