Suspected bandits have killed three worshippers and abducted 15 others during a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran village in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 8:30pm on Saturday while members of a church congregation were observing prayers at the remote worship centre.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.
According to the statement, the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who informed the police that armed men stormed the prayer ground during the vigil, opened fire on worshippers and whisked several persons away to an unknown location.
The police said operatives attached to the Ekiti Division were immediately deployed to the area following the distress call.
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a coordinated rescue operation involving tactical teams, intelligence units, the Police Mobile Force and the police drone unit.
Describing the incident as “barbaric and unacceptable,” the police commissioner assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those behind the assault.
“The command is fully committed to ensuring the safe rescue of all abducted persons and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement partly read.
The police also disclosed that security operatives had commenced bush-combing operations and intelligence gathering across surrounding communities as part of efforts to track down the attackers.
Residents of the area were urged to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and rescue efforts.