Bandit Attack Rocks Kwara Prayer Ground, Worshippers Killed in Horror Incident

Armed bandits believed to be terrorists 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 was carried out on Friday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the southern part of the state.

The incident took place during a night vigil and sent the normally quiet agrarian community into a panic as residents fled for safety.

Sources familiar with the incident told the Daily Trust that the gunmen stormed the prayer gathering at about 8:30 pm and opened fire on the worshippers.

The attackers sporadically shot and whisked some of the victims into the bush, according to reports.

Residents said the armed men raided the secluded prayer camp where the worshippers were participating in a night prayer session.

The attack was so sudden that some people at the vigil ran in different directions and others were caught by the assailants.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the deceased victims had yet to be officially released.

“Ekiti, Ikiran Village and other communities around are gripped with fear following the attack,” local sources said.

Some residents called on the government and security agencies to step up 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 located at the outskirts of the village.

Security operatives were said to have been deployed to the area soon after the incident while search efforts were extended into the nearby forests in a bid to locate the abducted worshippers.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday, saying one Pastor Adebayo Abiodun reported the attack.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to the area.

The rescue operation involved operatives of the Police Mobile Force, intelligence teams, the Police Drone Unit and other security personnel, she said.

The command directed the teams to scour the forests around the area and ensure safe rescue of the abducted victims.

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 it said.

Police described the attack as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable” and said rescue efforts were continuing for the abducted worshippers and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The incident was reported on the 24th of May, 2026, by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaiye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, who said while conducting a night vigil with members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village on the 23rd of May, 2026 at about 2030hrs, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, killing three persons and abducting fifteen others to an unknown destination.

“Immediately the distress report was received, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, mobilised operatives to the scene.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full tactical and intelligence-led 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 urged residents to stay calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the gunmen.