The Kwara State Police Command said gunmen killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others during a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye in Ekiti Local Government Area on Saturday night.
Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala reported the attack on Sunday, 24 May, after armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground on the outskirts of Ikiran Village at about 10:30 p.m., according to the pastor. Channels Television reported the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The command said the attackers fired guns before forcing the victims away to an unknown destination. Police said the Divisional Police Officer in Ekiti Division quickly mobilised operatives to the scene after the distress report reached them.
Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi ordered what the command described as a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation to find the victims and arrest the attackers. The deployment includes the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets.
Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said the command strongly condemned the gruesome attack, killing and abduction of innocent worshippers at Ori-Oke Ajaiye. Adekimi called the assault barbaric, callous and unacceptable, and said the force was fully committed to rescuing all of the victims and apprehending those responsible.
The attack has pushed security attention back to Ekiti Local Government Area and the wider Kwara community, where police said bush combing, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations were being intensified. Residents were urged to remain calm, stay vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies.
The immediate question now is whether the police operation can locate the 15 abducted worshippers before the trail goes cold in the surrounding bush.
