Armed attack on Kwara vigil kills 3, abducts 15

Armed assailants attacked a night vigil at a remote prayer ground in Kwara State, Nigeria, on Saturday, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others. The attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. at OriOke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran village in the Ekiti Local Government Area, a rural community in the southern part of the state.

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. Police spokesperson Adetoun EjireAdeyemi said the attack was reported by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, who was leading the congregation in a night vigil. According to the report, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically, before killing three people and abducting 15 others to an unknown destination.

Upon receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer for Ekiti Division immediately mobilized operatives to the scene. The state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, has directed a comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation to secure the release of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. The operation involves the Police Drone Team, mobile police force personnel, intelligence units, and other operational assets.