Bandits invaded the ECWA Church in the Omugo community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, on Sunday morning. The attackers stormed the premises during the weekly service, sparking widespread panic among the congregation and local residents.
While the assailants successfully abducted several individuals, a swift intervention by joint security operatives led to the rescue of three victims.
Coordinated Rescue Operation
A source from the Kwara South Joint Security Watch, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided initial details on the scale of the attack. “At least seven people were abducted,” the source disclosed, though full details of the remaining captives remain unclear.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, confirmed the incident. She praised the rapid response of the security teams involved in the rescue.
“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 stated.
Government Vows to Secure Remaining Captives
The state government has now ordered an intensified manhunt to track the kidnappers into the surrounding forests. Olukoju emphasised that the authorities will not rest until every worshipper returns home safely.
“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 added.
Condemnation of the “Cowardly” Act
The Commissioner described the targeting of a religious centre as an unacceptable violation of community peace.
“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,” Olukoju remarked.
She further urged residents to support security efforts by staying alert and sharing information with the 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.
Government officials highlighted that current forest combing operations are already showing results. Olukoju concluded, “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.”
