Suspected gunmen have attacked a prayer ground in Ekiti LGA of Kwara state, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil.
The attack occurred on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of the council area, throwing nearby communities into panic.
Residents said the assailants stormed the prayer ground in large numbers, firing sporadically before whisking away several worshippers through nearby forest routes.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said villagers spent the night searching for missing relatives after the attackers fled the area.
“People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. Some families could not even find their relatives until this morning,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command described the attack as gruesome and barbaric.
Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, police spokesperson said the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, who was leading the vigil when the gunmen invaded the prayer ground.
According to the police, three worshippers were killed while 15 others were abducted to an unknown destination.
Adekimi Ojo, commissioner of police said operatives were immediately deployed to the scene following the distress call.
He added that a coordinated rescue operation involving the police drone team, PMF personnel and intelligence units had commenced to rescue the victims and apprehend the attackers.
The police also assured residents that bush combing and intelligence operations had been intensified across the affected communities.