Three persons were killed and 15 others abducted on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a prayer ground in Ikiran, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims were attending a night vigil at Ori-Oke Ajaiye when the assailants struck at about 8:00 p.m., opening fire and throwing the gathering into panic.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the attackers stormed the prayer ground and carried out the assault.
“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 the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State,” the statement reads.
“The incident was reported on 24th May, 2026, by one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye 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.”
Ejire-Adeyemi said police operatives from the Ekiti Division were immediately deployed to the scene following a distress call.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full-scale rescue operation involving tactical teams and intelligence units.
According to her, the Commissioner described the attack as barbaric, callous and unacceptable, assuring that efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the “heinous act”.
The command said bush combing operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated security patrols were ongoing to track down the attackers.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive by providing credible and timely information that could assist ongoing operations,” the statement added.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”
The attack comes amid growing security concerns in parts of the South-West.
On May 16, gunmen on motorcycles raided communities in the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting students and staff of several schools, including Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
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