By: Sunday Ameh
Panic gripped residents of a community in Kwara State after suspected gunmen attacked a night vigil, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the attack on Sunday, the Kwara State Police Command described the incident as cruel and unacceptable.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed that the assailants stormed the prayer ground at about 8:30 p.m. while members of a church were observing a night vigil.
According to her, the incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin village, who alerted authorities that armed men invaded the gathering, opened fire sporadically and abducted several worshippers to an unknown destination.
Following a distress call, operatives from the Ekiti Division were immediately mobilized to the scene.
Ejire-Adeyemi further revealed that the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had directed an intensive rescue operation involving tactical units, intelligence teams, Police Mobile Force operatives and the police drone unit.
“The command is fully committed to rescuing the abducted victims and ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the police spokesperson stated.
She added that security operatives had already commenced bush-combing and intelligence-driven operations aimed at locating the abducted victims and tracking down those responsible for the attack.
Residents were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could support ongoing rescue and investigation efforts.
The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of the state, particularly attacks targeting rural communities and worship centres.
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