Tears in Kwara as gunmen kill 3 worshippers, abduct 15 during church vigil

A peaceful night of worship turned into a scene of tragedy in Kwara State after armed criminals attacked a church vigil, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the deadly incident, describing it as a “gruesome, barbaric, and unacceptable” attack on innocent worshippers gathered for a night vigil.

According to police reports, the attack occurred on Friday, May 23, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m. at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, near Ikiran Village in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. Members of a church congregation were reportedly holding a vigil at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin Village when the armed assailants stormed the area.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the incident was formally reported to the police by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village.

According to the pastor, armed hoodlums stormed the prayer ground during the vigil, opened fire on worshippers, killed three persons and forcefully abducted 15 others to an unknown destination.

“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 Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State,” the statement said.

It added that operatives from the Ekiti Division were immediately deployed to the scene following the distress report.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, subsequently ordered a full-scale rescue and manhunt operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets.

The Command said coordinated efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted victims and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Condemning the incident, the Commissioner of Police described the assault as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” assuring families of the victims that security agencies are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served.

“The Commissioner of Police assures the families of the deceased, the injured and the abducted victims that the Command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the heinous act,” the statement added.

Police further disclosed that extensive security operations, including bush-combing exercises, intelligence gathering and coordinated patrols across forests and neighbouring communities, are currently underway.

Residents of Ekiti Local Government Area and other parts of the state have been urged to remain calm, vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in the ongoing operation.

The Command said further updates would be communicated as investigations and rescue efforts progress.