Tension gripped residents of Ifelodun Local Government Area on Sunday after suspected bandits stormed a worship centre belonging to the Evangelical Church Winning All in Omugo community, abducting several congregants during service.
Eyewitness accounts said the attackers arrived in the middle of the service and opened fire sporadically, sending worshippers into panic before whisking away eight members of the church.
Sources, however, disclosed that three of the victims later escaped from captivity, while five others remain in the hands of the abductors.
The Kwara State Government confirmed the incident, describing it as a disturbing attack on a place of worship. Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said security agencies had launched a manhunt to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible.
“The government commends the security forces, forest guards and local vigilantes for their swift response, which led to the rescue of three of the eight abducted victims,” Olukoju said.
She condemned the attack, stressing that targeting religious centres under any guise is unacceptable.
“The government condemns in strong terms the cowardly targeting of religious places. Such acts will not be tolerated,” she added.
The commissioner urged security operatives, local vigilantes and residents to sustain collaboration in tackling insecurity across the area.
“While we acknowledge the immediate response of security forces and other stakeholders, we task them to ensure that ongoing operations lead to the rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of the perpetrators,” she said.
Olukoju also noted that ongoing security operations, including forest combing, have significantly reduced criminal activities in parts of the state, assuring residents of continued government commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
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