Bandits, on Sunday, invaded an ECWA Church in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and abducted some worshippers.
Joint security operatives were, however, said to have rescued three of the abducted victims.
The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday morning during a weekly church service, causing panic among worshippers and residents.
A source disclosed that the assailants stormed the church premises and abducted several people before security forces intervened.
A source from the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “At least seven people were abducted,” though further details were not provided.
Confirming the development to our correspondent, the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said security operatives successfully rescued three victims while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.
She stated, “We commend the immediate and coordinated response of the security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes, which led to the rescue of three of the abducted victims and helped to repel the attackers.”
Olukoju added that the government had directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.
“While commending the immediate response of the security forces and other stakeholders, we task them to ensure that the ongoing manhunt leads to the rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the perpetrators,” she said.
The commissioner also condemned the targeting of a religious centre, describing the act as cowardly and unacceptable.
“The Kwara State Government strongly condemns the cowardly targeting of a place of worship under any guise, and we reaffirm that such acts of violence have no place in our communities,” she added.
She further urged residents to support ongoing security efforts by remaining vigilant and cooperating with authorities.
“We call on community members to continue to work closely with security agencies, forest guards, and local vigilantes to bring an end to this menace and safeguard our communities,” the statement noted.
Olukoju highlighted that ongoing forest combing operations had already yielded positive results.
“We also commend the appreciable progress made in the ongoing combing of the forests, which has significantly curtailed the activities of criminal elements across affected areas,” she said.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents of sustained collaboration with all security stakeholders.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that security concerns have heightened in the state following intelligence reports of planned coordinated attacks across Kwara South.
The Kwara South Joint Security Watch had warned of possible attacks targeting Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin local government areas.
“Yes, it is from the intelligence that we gathered that they are planning to strike, and we don’t want to take anything for granted,” the group’s Coordinator, Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, said.
He added that military and paramilitary personnel, alongside air surveillance, had been deployed to forestall the anticipated attacks.
Oyin also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
