Kwara State church kidnapping leaves families fear for 15

Families of 15 Christian worshippers abducted from a church vigil in Kwara State are expressing growing fear for their loved ones' lives, citing a prolonged silence from the kidnappers and a perceived lack of progress in rescue efforts. The victims were taken during an armed attack on the OriOke Ajaiye vigil on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in Ekiti Local Government Area in late May. Three worshippers were killed during the incident.

Relatives of the abducted say they have received no communication or ransom demands from the assailants in the weeks since the attack, deepening their anxiety. One family member, speaking anonymously for security reasons, stated the absence of contact has led them to fear something terrible may have happened. They have accused authorities of providing no concrete updates despite repeated appeals, leaving families to wait and pray as each day increases their despair.

These fears are compounded by a separate, recent kidnapping incident in the state. According to sources familiar with that case, five of eight worshippers abducted from an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in Ifelodun Local Government Area on March 22 are now believed...