Gunmen Invade Church, Abduct Worshippers as Three Regain Freedom in Kwara State 

Panic gripped residents of Omugo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area on Sunday after gunmen stormed a worship centre of the Evangelical Church Winning All during service and abducted members of the congregation.

Eyewitness accounts said the attackers, suspected to be bandits, invaded the church premises and began shooting sporadically to disperse worshippers before whisking away eight persons to an unknown destination.

However, in a twist of events, three of the abducted victims reportedly escaped from their captors, leaving five others still in captivity as security operatives intensify rescue efforts.

The Kwara State Government confirmed the incident, describing it as a disturbing attack on a place of worship, while assuring residents of swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the government had directed security agencies, forest guards and local vigilantes to track down the assailants.

“The government commends the security forces, forest guards, and local vigilantes for their proactive response and for facilitating the rescue of three of the eight abducted victims,” she said.

Olukoju condemned the attack, noting that targeting religious centres under any guise was unacceptable.

“We strongly condemn the cowardly targeting of religious places. Such acts have no place in our society,” she added.

She urged security operatives and community stakeholders to sustain the ongoing manhunt, stressing that efforts must lead to the safe return of the remaining victims and the arrest of those responsible.

“While we appreciate 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,” the statement read.

The commissioner further noted that recent security operations, including forest combing exercises, had significantly reduced criminal activities in the area, assuring residents of the government’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.