Suspected armed bandits have attacked a remote prayer ground in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least three worshippers and abducting 15 others.
The attack occurred on Friday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the southern part of the state.
The incident, which happened during a night vigil, threw the quiet agrarian community into panic as residents fled for safety.
According to the Daily Trust, sources familiar with the incident said the gunmen stormed the prayer gathering at about 8:30 pm and opened fire on the worshippers.
The attackers reportedly shot sporadically before whisking some of the victims into the bush.
Residents said the worshippers were participating in a night prayer session when the armed men invaded the secluded prayer camp.
The sudden gunshots forced several people at the vigil to run in different directions, while others were captured by the attackers.
The identities of the deceased victims had yet to be officially released as of the time of filing this report.
Local sources said fear had gripped Ikiran Village and other nearby communities following the attack.
Some residents called on the government and security agencies to increase surveillance around isolated worship centres, farming settlements and border communities in the area.
They said the location of the prayer ground made it vulnerable, especially as it is situated on the outskirts of the village.
Security operatives were reportedly deployed to the area shortly after the incident, while search efforts were extended into nearby forests in a bid to locate the abducted worshippers.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Kwara State Police Command said one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun reported the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to the area.
She said the rescue operation involved operatives of the Police Mobile Force, intelligence teams, the Police Drone Unit and other security personnel.
According to the command, the teams had been mandated to comb the surrounding forests and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims.
It said the deployment of tactical assets, including drones and intelligence personnel, was part of a coordinated operation to locate the abductors and prevent further attacks in the area.
The police described the attack as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted worshippers and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, who stated that while conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, on 23rd May, 2026, at about 2030hrs, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons while abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets for a coordinated rescue mission,” the statement said.
The command also appealed to residents to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking the gunmen.