The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three worshippers and the abduction of 15 others following an attack by armed assailants at a prayer ground in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred late Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village within the Ikerin/Ajuba axis. The assault has left local communities in a state of panic.

According to local sources, a large group of armed men stormed the community, targeting residents and worshippers before retreating into nearby forested areas. A resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the chaos:

"People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. Some families could not even find their relatives until this morning."

Police Response and Investigation

In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, conveyed the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo’s strong condemnation of the attack, describing it as gruesome and barbaric.

The police report indicated that the incident was brought to light by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of the Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala church, who was conducting a night vigil with his congregation when the gunmen struck.

"While conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically," the statement noted, confirming the three fatalities and 15 abductions.

Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer for the Ekiti Division mobilized operatives to the scene. Commissioner Ojo has since ordered a coordinated, intelligence-driven rescue operation.

Security Measures Escalated

To secure the release of the hostages and apprehend the perpetrators, the command has deployed a comprehensive tactical team, including:

• The Police Drone Team

• Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel

• Specialized Intelligence Units

• Local operational assets for bush-combing initiatives

The Commissioner assured residents of the Ekiti Local Government Area and the wider Kwara community that security agencies are actively tracking the assailants and working to restore order. The command further urged the public to remain calm and assist law enforcement with credible information.

Rising Security Concerns in Kwara South

The assault follows a series of recurring attacks on religious centers in the Kwara South region:

November 2025: Armed bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, resulting in three deaths and the abduction of 38 congregants, who were later rescued.

March 2026: An ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun LGA, was targeted, leading to the abduction of 11 worshippers. While three were rescued during a joint security operation, eight remain in captivity.

These consecutive incidents have heightened anxiety across rural communities, prompting authorities to intensify security operations throughout the state's forested borders.