Bandits Abduct Eight from Church in Nigeria's Kwara State

Armed bandits stormed an Evangelical Church Winning All in Omugo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, on Sunday morning, abducting eight worshippers during a service and sparking widespread fear that has driven many residents to flee their homes.

The assault occurred around 9:30 a.m. as congregants gathered for worship. Eyewitnesses described how the gunmen, dressed in green and blue attire with masks, emerged from a nearby bush and burial ground, firing shots into the air to scatter the crowd. Chaos ensued as parishioners fled through multiple exits and into surrounding areas, but the attackers targeted those unable to escape quickly, primarily elderly women and others left behind. Among the abducted were Mrs. Remilekun Omole, the wife of church pastor Omole Sunday Timothy; Chief David Afolayan; Chief Joseph Ibitoye Afariogun; Mr. Joshua Adeyemi Jogo; Mrs. Rachel Omopariola; Mrs. Mosunmola Afolayan; Mrs. Bukola Sunday; and Mrs. Anti Mama Gbeke.

Pastor Timothy, who was leading the service, recounted the sudden intrusion. "I was leading the program when we were alerted by one of the members who saw them coming towards the church premises," he said....