Gunmen have attacked a prayer ground in Kwara State, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The deadly attack reportedly happened on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located near Ikiran Village in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis, throwing nearby communities into panic.
According to residents, the armed assailants stormed the prayer ground and opened fire sporadically, forcing worshippers and villagers to flee in different directions.
A resident disclosed that many families spent the entire night searching for missing relatives after the attackers escaped through nearby forests.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command described the attack as gruesome and barbaric.
Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun, who was leading the night vigil when the gunmen invaded the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed that three persons lost their lives while 15 worshippers were abducted to an unknown destination.
Following the attack, security operatives attached to the Ekiti Division were immediately deployed to the scene.
The police also announced that a large-scale rescue operation involving tactical teams, intelligence units, PMF personnel and drone surveillance has commenced to rescue the victims and track down the attackers.
Authorities assured residents that bush combing and intelligence gathering operations are ongoing across the affected areas.
The latest incident adds to growing security concerns in Kwara South, where several worship centres have come under attack in recent months.
