Bandits attacked a prayer ground known as Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran village in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday night, killing three worshippers and kidnapping 15 others during a vigil.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
According to the police, the attack happened at about 8:30 pm while worshippers were holding a night vigil at the prayer ground. The incident was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, in Ekiti LGA.
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The police statement read: “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 Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.”
It added that the armed men stormed the prayer ground, fired shots wildly, killed three people, and took 15 others to an unknown location.
Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ekiti Division reportedly deployed officers to the scene.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, then ordered a major security operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units, and other resources to rescue the victims and catch the attackers.
The police commissioner described the attack as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable.” He assured the families of the victims that the police were committed to securing the release of the kidnapped worshippers and bringing those responsible to justice.
The command said efforts were ongoing, including searches of bushes, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations across the area.
Residents of Ekiti LGA and the wider Kwara community were urged to remain calm, stay vigilant, and provide any useful information that could help the ongoing operations.
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